July 25 (UPI) -- Deportation flights from the so-called Alligator Alcatraz in southern Florida have begun, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Friday.
At a news conference at the site in the Everglades, DeSantis said "hundreds" of detainees there had been processed for deportation," and were headed to other states or straight to their home country.
Garrett Ripa, a top ICE official, confirmed "two or three" flights took off from runway at the detention center. The first one had 100 passengers.
DeSantis said a "couple dozen" people had self-deported under a pilot program, which provides a $1,000 stipend and a plane ticket to fly to their home country.
Governor DeSantis Speaks from Alligator Alcatraz https://t.co/AJeIVThH7O— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) July 25, 2025
