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Florida Democratic Lawmakers Including Senators Jones and Smith Denied Entry to $450M Alligator Alcatraz During Official Visit Two Days After Trump

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Updated Jul 4, 2025, 06:05 PM

A group of Democratic lawmakers from Florida, including Senators Shevrin Jones and Carlos Guillermo Smith, were denied entry to the state's new immigration detention facility known as "Alligator Alcatraz" on July 3, 2025. The lawmakers had arrived to conduct an official legislative site visit, citing concerns about the conditions for detainees at the $450 million facility located in the Everglades. Despite their legal authority to visit, Florida agents prevented their access, resulting in the lawmakers remaining outside the center. The denial of entry has raised questions about potential violations of Florida law and prompted criticism from the lawmakers, with Senator Smith describing the detention center as a "cruel $450M detention camp." The incident occurred two days after a visit to the facility by former President Donald Trump. The refusal to allow the Democratic legislators inside has sparked debate over transparency and the treatment of detainees at the facility.

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