Suing 'Alligator Alcatraz': Immigration in the US

起诉“鳄鱼阿卡兹”:美国移民问题

The Documentary Podcast

2025-08-26

26 分钟
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President Trump has called illegal immigration an “invasion” and what's followed is a huge rise in the arrest and detention of migrants. Some have ended up in ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ - an immigration detention centre that was speedily constructed in June, deep in the Florida swampland. It has become a focal point for debates around immigration. Outside its gates, some take proud selfies with the ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ sign; others protest, following reports of poor conditions inside. ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ is now subject to a number of lawsuits. Immigration attorneys say they haven’t been granted proper access to clients inside; environmentalists claim the detention centre is harming the protected wetlands that surround it. Within the last few days, a judge has that ruled that much of the detention centre must be dismantled and no new migrants taken there. It’s a preliminary ruling - and the case will continue to be litigated. The government immediately filed an appeal. Josephine Casserly follows immigration lawyer Mich Gonzalez as he attempts to meet his client inside the detention centre. She reports from Florida - America’s new frontline on immigration. This episode of The Documentary comes to you from Assignment, investigations and journeys into the heart of global events.
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  • Ah, OK, OK.

  • I think we're here.

  • So there's a big slow down congestion sign.

  • And there's an Alligator Alcatraz sign.

  • I'm in the car with immigration lawyer Mitch Gonzalez.

  • It's July and we're driving to Alligator Alcatraz,

  • a new immigration detention centre deep in Florida's swamp land.

  • So what time is the appointment?

  • I maybe said after 8.30 and it's 8.18 now.

  • So we're bang on time.

  • Early.

  • We're early, yes.

  • We're early.

  • Let's see what happens.

  • This is a documentary for the BBC World Service.

  • I'm Josephine Casserly, on assignment in Florida,

  • where this controversial new centre with a foreboding name has become a lightning rod for fierce debates around immigration in the US.

  • I assume we're going to get stopped quite soon, I would imagine.

  • There's a truck up in front of us with blue flashing lights.

  • We're accompanying Mitch as he tries to make a visit to his client,