Politics
Gov. DeSantis says 100 detainees have been flown out of Alligator Alcatraz
The first deportation flights out of Alligator Alcatraz have begun, with about 100 detainees being removed from the country in partnership with the Department of Homeland Security, Florida officials said.
“The cadence is increasing. We’ve already had a number of flights in the last few days,” Gov. Ron DeSantis said at a press conference giving the latest updates from the controversial detention center.
Meanwhile, Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie insisted that the Everglades detention center can withstand hurricane-force winds up to Category 2 and said there is a hurricane contingency plan in place.
“I know that I’ve taken a little bit of heat in the media that the EM guy is not taking care of hurricane season. That is absolutely, unequivocally false,” Guthrie said while standing next to DeSantis. “I promise you that the hurricane guys have got the hurricane stuff covered.”
DeSantis has regularly touted Florida as being a leader to help President Donald Trump fulfill his agenda of mass deportations.
Starting Monday, Alligator Alcatraz will have the first set of onsite legal representation for detainees, which officials said will help speed up the deportation process.
“The space that we have, we can do those meetings all day long, 24/7, 365 (days),” Guthrie said.
Florida leaders said they expect the number of detainees at Alligator Alcatraz to ramp up. The facility can currently hold up to 2,000 detainees, but they expect it to eventually have the capacity to hold up to 4,000 people.
“We’re here today to say this was never intended to be something where people are just held and we just kind of twiddle our thumbs. The whole purpose is to make this be a place that can facilitate increased frequency and numbers of deportations of illegal aliens,” DeSantis said.
“One of the reasons why this was a sensible spot is because you have this runway that’s right here. You don’t have to drive them an hour to an airport. You go a couple thousand feet, and they can be on a plane and out of here.”
Democrats and critics have been outspoken regarding their rage over Alligator Alcatraz, voicing concerns about the environmental impact of building the facility in the Everglades and the more than estimated $450 million annual price tag to run it. Others say it’s an inhumane method of detaining people, including, in one case, a teenager.
Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia defended the use of taxpayer money. “I don’t want to hear anyone from the Left start talking about cost, because this wouldn’t be here if we wouldn’t have a de facto open border over the last four years under the previous administration … under Joe Biden.”
Guthrie defended the state removing contracts from its website, which raised transparency questions.
“What our staff ended up doing was we actually put proprietary information on the website — we have competitive contracts,” Guthrie said. “So what happened was our team put the actual detailed line item, PO that then now every other competitive contractor can see what their rate is. So we took that down. We’ve replaced it with summary sheets on the actual amount that they’ve been given.”
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The horrific shooting in Australia that claimed at least 16 lives during a Hanukkah celebration has prompted an expression of sympathy from Florida lawmakers.
The Florida Jewish Legislative Caucus issued a statement of condemnation of the violence during the Jewish observance on Sydney’s Bondi Beach. The Caucus published its statement Sunday afternoon.
“The Florida Legislative Jewish Caucus unequivocally condemns the horrific and senseless killing that occurred during Hanukkah in Australia. An act of violence against Jews celebrating their faith is an attack not only on a single community, but on the fundamental values of freedom, religious liberty, and human dignity,” the Florida Legislative Caucus said in a news release.
“We stand in unwavering solidarity with our Jewish brothers and sisters in Australia, with the victims’ families, and with Jewish communities around the world who are once again forced to confront hatred simply for being who they are. The State of Florida’s Jewish legislators join in mourning, remembrance, and resolve.”
The Florida LegislativeJewish Caucus has a dozen members from the House of Representatives and two State Senators.
Hundreds of people had gathered Sunday at the beach for an event to celebrate the first day of Hanukkah, when gunmen opened fire. At least 38 others were injured in the attack.
New South Wales Health Minister Ryan Park said the death toll had risen from 12 to 16 overnight, including a 12-year-old child. Three other children are being treated in hospital, he said.
“This is absolutely horrendous for the community broadly, but particularly the Jewish community. … What we saw last night was the worst of humanity, but at the same time, the very best of humanity,” Park said.
The massacre at one of Australia’s most popular beaches followed a wave of antisemitic attacks that have roiled the country over the past year, although the authorities didn’t suggest those and Sunday’s shooting were connected. It is the deadliest shooting in almost three decades in a country with strict gun control laws.
One gunman was fatally shot by police and the second was arrested and in critical condition, authorities said. Police said one gunman was known to security services, but there was no specific threat.
At least 29 people were confirmed wounded, including two police officers, said Mal Lanyon, police commissioner for New South Wales state, where Sydney is located.
“This attack was designed to target Sydney’s Jewish community,” New South Wales Premier Chris Minns said.
The violence erupted at the end of a summer day when thousands had flocked to Bondi Beach, including hundreds gathered for the Chanukah by the Sea event celebrating the start of the eight-day Hanukkah festival.
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Material from The Associated Press was used in this report with permission.
Behavioral health officials have a list of precautions for Floridians to deal with anxieities heading into Christmas and New Year’s Day.
While the holidays can bring a lot of comfort and joy, the can also be a stressful time and Florida’s health management entities are providing some helpful tips to deal with yuletide anxiety.
There are seven behavioral health managing entities in the state and all of them are aware that stress heading into Christmas and New Year’s Day can seem overwhelming at times. They’re advising balance may be one of the key elements in dealing with the holidays.
“The holidays are a time of joy, but they can also be a time of stress, sadness and triggering situations,” said Natalie Kelly, CEO of the Florida Association of Managing Entities. “Florida’s behavioral health Managing Entities remind Floridians that behavioral health services are available, even to those who are uninsured or underinsured.”
The state’s behavioral health professionals are also providing a list of tips to help come to grips with any holiday tension including:
— Get plenty of exercise. Exercising boosts your mood and combats depression.
— Limit alcohol intake. Alcohol is a depressant that can cause feelings of anxiety, sadness and depression.
— Set healthy boundaries and don’t overextend yourself. Setting realistic expectations can help reduce stress.
— Seek the help of a counselor for mental health needs. If you feel overwhelmed or the need to get help to address your feelings, contact a counselor.
— Call 2-1-1 if needed to connect with resources in your community.
— Call 9-8-8 if you or a loved one is having suicidal thoughts.
A mental-health treatment network has been established in the state for providers who deliver services to residents needing help. Those services extend to parents and children, veterans and the homeless.
Providers serve patients for not only mental health needs, but substance use, housing, transportation and employment help. Those managing entities are often overseen by community organizations and administrators and are accountable to state and federal funds.
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