A recent investigation from the Miami Herald and Tampa Bay Times found that instead of housing dangerous criminals — as originally intended — Alligator Alcatraz allegedly operates as a transfer hub for immigrants still fighting their cases in immigration court.

This is a judge that was not going to give us a fair shake,” DeSantis said Friday. “This was preordained, very much an activist judge that is trying to do policy from the bench.”

Fla., is appealing an order from a federal to close the mass detention facility colloquially known as "Alligator Alcatraz" within 60 days.