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Sen. Cornyn supports 'Alligator Alcatraz' for Texas
U.S. Sen. John Cornyn has expressed an interest in Texas constructing a large-scale deportation facility like "Alligator Alcatraz."
Senator Cornyn’s office told FOX 4 that he was not available for a brief Zoom interview to discuss his support for an "Alligator Alcatraz-like" detention center being built here in Texas.
Critics call the migrants in Florida housing inhumane. Something the Department of Homeland Security refutes, while also confirming that it is actively looking for other states to construct new facilities.
Following in Florida’s footsteps, Texas Republican Senator John Cornyn, this week, in a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee, says he wouldn't mind replicating the idea of an ‘Alligator Alcatraz-like' facility in Texas.
Texas pitches land for immigrant holding facility
Local perspective:
"I’m hopeful other states will step up in similar ways. If we could find a way to make something like this work in Texas, I would strongly support it."
Texas has previously pitched the feds. Earlier this year, the state's land commissioner offered the Trump administration more than 1,400 acres of land, down in Starr County, along the border to build immigrant detainee holding and processing sites.
Belts of Texas land, near El Paso, into New Mexico have become militarized zones.
Where troops are deputized to carry out immigration enforcement.
"I’d encourage our Governor as well as Secretary Noem to explore the possibility of locating future detention facilities in Texas."
A ball DHS secretary Kristi Noem says it is already moving.
Noem on expanding immigrant holding locations
What they're saying:
"We're looking at other locations as well. We've had several other states that are actually using 'Alligator Alcatraz' as a model for how they can partner with us as well," said Noem.
"I'm having ongoing conversations with five other governors about facilities that they may have."
Noem wouldn't elaborate when asked which states or an exact timeline.
Problems with ‘Alligator Alcatraz’
What we know:
Critics don't support the current one, much less adding others.
From the jump, protesters, democratic lawmakers and other advocacy groups have alleged human rights violations at "Alligator Alcatraz."
It sits on a 39-square-mile former airport site. In the middle of the Florida Everglades, surrounded by alligators and pythons.
Current capacity is 3,000 with plans to expand to 5,000.
Accusations from detainees recently surfaced about deplorable, cramped conditions, infested with mosquitoes and water leaks.
"We need to facilitate getting people out this country as fast as possible…"
Dig deeper:
Secretary Noem told reporters, "Any issues that were there… have been addressed."
While the American Civil Liberties Union has filed at least one lawsuit against the Trump administration over ‘Alligator Alcatraz’, the feds say, space is urgently needed to keep up with arrests.
"We need to double our capacity in detention beds because we need to facilitate getting people out of this country as fast as possible and to sustain our operations," said Noem.
What's next:
Senator Cornyn is running for re-election this year, and he has a republican challenger, Texas Attorney General, Ken Paxton.
As recent polling shows a healthy lead, at this point, for Paxton.
Expert weighs-in on Texas Senate race between Cornyn and Paxton
Texas Senator John Cornyn faces a strong primary challenge from Attorney General Ken Paxton, who leads in polls despite Cornyn's fundraising advantage, with a potential Trump endorsement and Angela Paxton's divorce proceedings being key factors, according to SMU political science professor Cal Jillson.
The Source: Information in this article was provided from Cornyn's ‘Biden Border Betrayal’ Hearing. Additional information was provided by a Department of Homeland Security press conference on July 12.