The Florida Democratic Party has filed a formal public records request with the Governor’s Office and the Florida Division of Emergency Management, seeking all documents related to the state contracts behind the internment camp known as “Alligator Alcatraz.”

Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried issued the following statement:

“Republicans claimed this internment camp was meant for ‘dangerous criminals.’ That was a lie. The vast majority of people detained have no history of violence.

Governor DeSantis is abusing emergency powers to hand out no-bid contracts to political donors. This facility was rushed together in just eight days and is projected to cost taxpayers $450 million every year. Floridians deserve to know exactly who’s getting rich off their money which is why we filed a formal public records request.

This Saturday, our Democratic lawmakers visited the site on a tightly controlled, sanitized tour and what they saw was appalling: more than 30 men packed into cages with broken toilets and no access to basic hygiene. This isn’t just a human rights crisis — it’s an environmental disaster unfolding in the heart of the Everglades that will set environmental protections back for decades.

Our public records request is about accountability. Floridians deserve answers.”

The Florida Democratic Party is requesting copies of all contracts, communications, and agreements between the Executive Office of the Governor and/or the Florida Division of Emergency Management and any private entities involved in the planning, construction, and operation of the facility.