What's happening inside Alligator Alcatraz as a judge halts construction -- for now

By Jasmine Garsd

Published August 8, 2025 at 4:17 PM EDT

Civil rights lawyers say many migrant detainees in Florida's so-called "Alligator Alcatraz" are being barred from meeting regularly with attorneys and being held in poor conditions inside the hastily constructed detention facility run by the state of Florida.

Tags

NPR

Jasmine Garsd

Jasmine Garsd is an Argentine-American journalist living in New York. She is currently NPR's Criminal Justice correspondent and the host of The Last Cup. She started her career as the co-host of Alt.Latino, an NPR show about Latin music. Throughout her reporting career she's focused extensively on women's issues and immigrant communities in America. She's currently writing a book of stories about women she's met throughout her travels.

See stories by Jasmine Garsd

WRVO is at a critical moment.

Recent cuts to federal funding are challenging our mission to serve central and upstate New York with trusted journalism, vital local coverage, and the diverse programming that informs and connects our communities. This is the moment to join our community of supporters and help keep journalists on the ground, asking hard questions that matter to our region.

Stand with public media and make your gift today—not just for yourself, but for all who depend on WRVO as a trusted resource and civic cornerstone in central and upstate New York.

Support WRVO now