Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday announced deportation flights had begun to take off from the so-called Alligator Alcatraz immigration detention facility in the Everglades.

Critics have challenged federal and state officials’ contention that the detention center is just run by the state of Florida. Environmental groups suing to stop further construction and expansion demanded Thursday to see agreements or communications between state and federal officials and to visit the site.

Governor Ron DeSantis made the announcement Friday morning that at least 100 detainees have been flown out of the country from the Everglades-based facility since it opened at the start of the month.