Mayor Daniella Levine Cava calls for monitoring access to Alligator Alcatraz, voices concern over dangerous conditions and deaths at immigrant detention facilities

Today, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava sent letters to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Florida Attorney General, expressing concern and urging greater transparency about the alarming number of deaths and medical emergencies at immigration detention centers in Florida and nationwide. Mayor Levine Cava also formally requested monitoring access to the state-run site dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz,” including site reports and video monitoring, given that the County is the property owner. 

“Although the federal government has declared their focus is on removing violent criminals and returning them to their home countries, continued reports offer a stark contrast to this mission – national data shows the majority of those in ICE custody today have no criminal convictions, and 93% have no violent record,” wrote Mayor Levine Cava. “We are particularly troubled by reports of dangerous conditions at ICE facilities nationwide and of multiple deaths that have occurred in federal facilities in our community, and the TNT site is further located in a remote area with poor access to hospitals and emergency services creating additional challenges. Given our land ownership of the site, we believe our request for monitoring access is warranted.” 

Read the letters here. Copies can be requested at [email protected].