Florida lawmakers are preparing to tour the state’s new migrant detention and deportation facility this weekend.

Florida

Florida's new migrant detention and deportation facility, referred to as 'Alligator Alcatraz,' is drawing scrutiny as state and federal lawmakers prepare to tour the site. The visit comes after immigration attorneys reported detainees experiencing poor conditions, including lack of access to medicine, running water, and due process, claims that Florida and White House officials have strongly denied.

Lawmakers previously denied access to the facility are now being offered a tour, though without staff or press present. While some representatives have criticized the visit as being tightly controlled, others see it as a step toward transparency. State officials maintain that the facility meets all required standards, and the White House has defended the conditions, stating that detainees receive proper care and communication with families and lawyers.

Inside 'Alligator Alcatraz': Lawmakers to tour migrant facility

State and federal lawmakers are now set to get a look inside Florida's new migrant detention and deportation facility this weekend. Their tour at Alligator Alcatraz comes amid reports of inhumane conditions for detainees, which Florida and White House officials are calling fake news. Capitol reporter Forrest Saunders with how both sides are now spinning this. For days now, immigration attorneys have relayed stories like these. That he's filled with, you know, mosquito bites. Clients saying they lack access to medicine, running water and due process while detained inside quote Alligator Alcatraz. I don't know how I can visit with him. Call him, you know, so it is very frustrating right now. Um, and just, you know, the lack of of concern for human life. It's prompted Florida lawmakers to seek a firsthand look at the conditions. I'll show you what political theater is. Political theater is what we're seeing right now. It hasn't happened. A group last week was denied access at the Everglades facility due to safety concerns. So all I'll ask is that we either we could go back over there. I'll have somebody come out for you so we're not blocking traffic. However, a week later, Florida officials now offering a tour for state and federal lawmakers this Saturday. No staff, no press, but plenty of questions from prospective attendees. I mean, I do world. This facility does not exist. It makes no sense beyond a political spectacle. State rep on Ask Amani says her office will be pushing to take videos, photos and do interviews with those inside staff and migrants. That's his Dems in Congress chastise the tour, calling it a quote scripted, limited scrubbed visit with quote rehearsed answers. Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz said members are already planning another unannounced visit in the coming weeks. The most important thing is that we be able to get a and a view that is not scrubbed. And so we'll be back for an unannounced visit, and we're gonna make sure that we have the ability to get in there to really see the conditions. Republicans have largely cheered the tour as promised transparency delivered. They also note the press and president were invited to the governor's grand opening July 1st. Very soon, this facility will have some of the most menacing migrants, some of the most vicious people on the planet. Since then, state officials say reporting on conditions at the site are quote completely false. Quote, the facility meets all required standards and is in good working order. Even the White House jumped in on defense Thursday, saying online quote Isis higher standards than most prisons that hold actual U. S. Citizens. All detainees are given proper meals, medical treatment and communication with lawyers and families in Tallahassee. Forrest Saunders, ABC Action News.

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Jerusalem

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Kyiv

Ukraine Invasion

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Tel Aviv-Yafo

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Texas

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Kerr County

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