The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that the Alligator Alcatraz detention facility remains operational, continuing to house individuals described as some of the most serious criminal illegal aliens. This announcement comes amid ongoing criticism from members of the judiciary and reports in various media outlets about conditions at the facility.
“Despite repeated hoaxes peddled by the media and activist judges, Alligator Alcatraz is still open and housing some of the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens including murderers, pedophiles, weapon traffickers, and drug dealers until they are swiftly removed from our country,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “Innovative state partnerships like Alligator Alcatraz, Louisiana Lock-up, Speedway Slammer, and Cornhusker Clink are expanding detention capability to lock up criminal illegal aliens and turbo charging our efforts to get criminal illegal aliens out of our country. Fire up the deportation planes.”
According to DHS, recent detainees at Alligator Alcatraz include Abelardo Ocampo from Mexico, convicted of attempted homicide/second-degree murder and possession of a weapon with intent to harm; Eraldo Ariel Perez Perez from Guatemala with convictions for sexual battery; Efrain Mez-Choc from Guatemala convicted for engaging in sex with a child and lewd molestation; Alexis Moreda Gallardo from Cuba with convictions including larceny and aggravated assault; Gustavo Cruz Garcia from Mexico convicted for prostitution and sex offenses; Gersain Lerma Lasprilla from Colombia with convictions related to firearms trafficking; Thallys Roberto Cassimiro DeSouza from Brazil convicted for robbery; David Mota Castillo from the Dominican Republic convicted for drug trafficking; Simeon De La Cruz Paredes also from the Dominican Republic convicted for smuggling aliens; and Diego Puentes from Guatemala convicted for second-degree murder.
DHS states that facilities such as Alligator Alcatraz play a role in their strategy to detain individuals pending removal proceedings.
