A group of Democratic lawmakers says they are planning another visit to a controversial immigration detention facility in the Florida Everglades, days after being denied entry and filing a lawsuit against the state.

The facility, referred to by critics as “Alligator Alcatraz,” has drawn attention from civil rights groups and legislators over concerns about transparency and detainee conditions.

U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost, D-Fla., told News 6 that the group plans to return to the site Saturday for a guided visit but expressed skepticism about how the facility will be presented.

“We know they are going to clean it up as much as they can to present something that is a little more presentable,” Frost said. “But I also want to be clear about this, a clean cage is still a cage.”

Frost said he is bringing a list of detainees he hopes to ask about during the tour and plans to evaluate conditions based on a detailed checklist.

“It’s important because we’re at a point in time right now where immigrants are being demonized, rounded up by masked agents, and shipped to other countries,” he said. “It’s cruelty. It’s horrible what’s going on.”

The renewed visit comes after lawmakers, including Florida State Rep. Anna Eskamani, said they were denied entry last Thursday. That prompted a lawsuit filed against the state, alleging lawmakers were unlawfully blocked from oversight.

In response, a spokesperson from Gov. DeSantis’ office told News 6 that a tour date for the site had already been provided for lawmakers before the lawsuit was even filed.

“The (FDEM) invited all Florida legislators to tour Alligator Alcatraz this weekend,” a spokesperson replied. “Today, five Democrat legislators responded by filing a frivolous lawsuit demanding access to Alligator Alcatraz. The State is looking forward to quickly dispensing with this dumb lawsuit.”

In addition, the FDEM provided News 6 with the following statement explaining why the lawmakers weren’t originally allowed to go inside.

“The legal authority cited by the legislators does not extend to this facility in the manner requested.

Section 11.143(2), Florida Statutes, grants inspection authority to a legislative committee, not to individual legislators engaging in political theater. This distinction is crucial for ensuring that oversight is conducted through formal, established legislative processes.

Section 944.23, Florida Statutes, authorizes members of the Legislature to visit state correctional institutions. The term “state correctional institution” is defined in section 944.02(8), Florida Statutes, to mean ‘any prison, road camp, prison industry, prison forestry camp, or any prison camp or prison farm or other correctional facility . . . in which prisoners are housed, worked, or maintained, under the custody and jurisdiction of’ the Department of Corrections. The Alligator Alcatraz facility is not under the jurisdiction of the Department of Corrections and does not otherwise fall within the statutory definition of a ‘state correctional institution.’”

Stephanie Hartman, Florida Division of Emergency Management

Ahead of this weekend’s visit, Eskamani discussed her concerns with News 6.

“I’m concerned about a curated, sanitized visit that is more propaganda than oversight,” Eskamani told News 6. “I have asked if we are allowed to take photos and film on site. I doubt they will let us.”

State Rep. LaVon Bracy Davis is also part of the delegation visiting on Saturday. She echoed concerns about the authenticity of the upcoming tour.

“When you invite someone to your home, you make sure everything is clean, the laundry is put up, and there are no concerns,” Davis said. “That’s the issue.”

The lawmakers say they are already planning a second, unannounced visit in the near future to ensure full transparency.

News 6 will continue to follow the story and provide updates following the lawmakers’ tour.