COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. — Protesters were again rallying outside "Alligator Alcatraz" for what they said was the 42nd consecutive Sunday.

This week they were hopeful after a New York Times report that the immigration detention center will soon be shut down.

Florida Director of Emergency Management Kevin Guthrie sat down with Local 10 News’ Glenna Milberg on “This Week in South Florida” and spoke about the reports.

“We have not been told to shut the facility down,” Guthrie said. “We have been told to continue to expect individuals.”

Guthrie confirmed the center costs over $1 million per day to operate, adding that he believes Florida will be reimbursed by the federal government for running the facility.

“There is an initial check coming out, I don’t know what the amount of that is gonna be,” he said. “We applied for about $90 million, then we applied for another $300 million on top of that.”

As for those demonstrators outside “Alligator Alcatraz”, they welcomed the reporting.

“We hope we’ve made a difference,” said Reverend Tony Fisher from the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Naples. “I think we’ve probably raised enough attention.”

Those protesters continue to call the facility immoral and inhumane and hope its final days are indeed close.

“We have to bring this to an end, that’s why you’ve seen hundreds of people gathered here week after week,” said Noelle Damico with The Workers Circle. “I’m gonna say when that day finally comes (that the facility is closed), this will be one of the biggest human rights victories.”

The demonstrators said they will continue to rally there every Sunday until the day the facility finally closes.

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