Trucks Entering Alligator Alcatraz Are Hiding Their Logos, DOT Numbers

The contractors are illegally covering up the USDOT numbers on their trucks.

July 7, 2025

The contractors who worked on Alligator Alcatraz tried to hide identifying information on their trucks at the facility. Photos by Thomas Kennedy (blue and black trucks), Thomas Kennedy photo (maroon truck with cardboard)

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As Gov. Ron DeSantis rushed to open the state's new detention facility in the Everglades, the various contractors that helped get the detention center up and running covered up their logos and U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) numbers on their trucks entering the site.

Photos obtained by New Times show that semi-trucks arriving at Alligator Alcatraz had the company's name and other identifying information covered up with tape and cardboard. Classic Recycling, whose tape job on one of its trucks did not exactly cover the company name, tried to hide its USDOT number. Another truck on-site completely concealed its name and USDOT info as well, breaking Florida law and federal regulations.

Immigration activist Thomas Kennedy captured the photos on the same day Democratic state lawmakers were denied access to the facility.

Under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's Commercial Motor Vehicle Marking Final Rule, all interstate motor carriers must display their USDOT number on both sides of the commercial motor vehicle. Florida adopted this regulation and codified it under state law.

The USDOT number, according to the code of federal regulations, must contrast sharply with the background color of the vehicle, be readily legible from at least a distance of 50 feet in the daylight, and be "kept and maintained in a manner that retains this legibility." If the commercial motor vehicle is not in compliance with the display requirements, according to Florida law, the motor carrier and company can face penalties and fines.

Contractors at the Everglades detention center are covering (poorly) their logos and USDOT numbers, which is illegal. pic.twitter.com/VjvzZPUpbv
— Thomas Kennedy (@tomaskenn) July 3, 2025

While the hired contractors are seemingly trying to evade public scrutiny for working on the controversial facility, Classic Recycling, headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, has been inundated with one-star reviews on Yelp after a photo of its truck at Alligator Alcatraz surfaced.

"What are you hiding if everything is legal?" one review reads. "You're also legally required to display your USDOT number. Why is it covered?"

Another user added, "Classic Fascism Support is more like it. If you have to cover your trucks' logos and DOT numbers (a crime) then you know you're doing shady shit. Like supporting a concentration camp."

Last week, three popular South Florida food truck franchises faced criticism after a viral TikTok video captured their trucks entering Alligator Alcatraz on the facility's opening day to provide food to workers and employees. On July 3, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced that the first group of detainees arrived at the controversial facility, which Florida officials claim can hold up to 3,000 people.

Naomi Feinstein is a staff writer of Miami New Times where she primarily focuses on news. Naomi started her career with New Times as a summer intern in 2019, then returned as a fellow in August 2022 before joining the staff full-time in February 2023. She graduated from University of Miami where she contributed to the student-run newspaper, the Miami Hurricane. She holds a master’s degree and graduated with honors from the Columbia School of Journalism. In 2021, Naomi was recognized as the College Journalist of the Year from the Society of Professional Journalists of Florida, and she placed second for Best General News Story in the 2021 Pinnacle Awards.

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