A group of Florida senators and representatives said Thursday they were denied entry to the controversial ICE detention facility in Miami-Dade County, known as "Alligator Alcatraz," despite saying they were using their statutory right as lawmakers to inspect the facility. Florida Sen. Shevrin Jones, Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith, state Rep. Dr. Anna Eskamani of Orlando, Rep. Angie Nixon of Jacksonville, and Rep. Michele Rayner of Hillsborough County said in a joint statement Thursday they all attempted to tour the facility, citing "mounting legal, moral and humanitarian concerns after days of alarming reports." The group said they were stopped by Florida Department of Emergency Management officials from entering, citing "safety concerns." The first group of immigrants arrived to the facility deep in the Florida Everglades Wednesday night. “Alligator Alcatraz will be checking in hundreds of criminal illegal aliens tonight," Florida Republican Attorney General James Uthmeier said on X. "Next stop: back to where they came from.” MORE: https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/regional/florida/alligator-alcatraz-lawmakers-barred-entry-police-confrontation/77-08467b3a-6c4a-45f6-94df-75ec9529dd4d