This is not America: Investigate the Disappearances at Alligator Alcatraz Now

I am writing as a deeply concerned constituent to urge you to demand an immediate and official investigation into the alarming reports from the Alligator Alcatraz detention facility in Florida. Multiple credible sources—including The Miami Herald, Democracy Now!, and El País—have documented that of approximately 1,800 individuals detained there in July, more than 1,200 are now unaccounted for in ICE’s own public detainee locator system. Roughly 800 detainees appear as having “no record,” while another 450 are listed only with the vague message “Call ICE for details.” Families, attorneys, and advocates cannot locate their clients or loved ones, raising grave due process concerns. Florida officials claim that some detainees have been deported or transferred, but there has been no transparent accounting. This lack of clarity is unacceptable in a country governed by the rule of law. If people in federal custody can effectively vanish without clear records, it represents a dangerous breach of human rights, legal standards, and basic accountability. I urge you to call for: 1. A full federal investigation, including oversight by the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General, the Department of Justice, and the Government Accountability Office. 2. Immediate clarification from ICE and DHS about the current whereabouts and legal status of each person who was detained at Alligator Alcatraz. 3. Congressional hearings to examine how a state-run detention facility has been allowed to operate with such little transparency and such significant risks to civil liberties. This issue goes beyond immigration policy. It strikes at the heart of transparency, accountability, and the protection of human rights under U.S. law. Please act swiftly to ensure that these individuals are not lost in the system and that such a situation cannot recur. Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. I look forward to your response and to seeing strong federal leadership on this issue.