A new immigration detention center, dubbed ‘Alligator Alcatraz,’ has opened its doors in the remote Florida Everglades, marking a significant development in the state’s immigration policies.
This facility, located at an airport previously used for training, has an initial capacity to hold approximately 3,000 detainees. The construction of the site was completed unusually swiftly, in just eight days, and features extensive security measures, including over 200 surveillance cameras, more than 28,000 feet of barbed wire, and a workforce of roughly 400 security personnel.
Jae Williams, Press Secretary for Republican state Attorney General James Uthmeier, confirmed the first group of immigrants has arrived at the center, although he did not disclose specific numbers or dates of arrival.
Uthmeier himself emphasized the facility’s purpose, stating, “Next stop: back to where they came from” via a post on the social media platform X.
The center is part of Florida’s response to facilitate enforcement of immigration laws as envisioned by President Donald Trump. The Florida Division of Emergency Management announced on X that the facility was established in record time under the supervision of Governor Ron DeSantis, in collaboration with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Under the federal government’s 287(g) program, immigrants arrested by Florida law enforcement can now be transferred to this new center. This program allows law enforcement officers to question immigrants in their custody and detain them for possible deportation, which was a key aspect of the recent immigration approach initiated by the Trump administration.
Plans for the facility include phased expansions, with the aim of increasing its capacity incrementally to 5,000 beds by early July.
In a show of legislative oversight, a group of Florida Democratic state lawmakers visited the detention center on Thursday. They expressed concerns regarding the conditions within the facility, as well as the substantial state contracts awarded for its construction.
The lawmakers issued a joint statement, asserting their legal right and moral obligation to inspect the site and address what they termed “this abuse” before it can set a negative precedent nationally.
Amidst these developments, federal agencies indicated their opposition to a lawsuit filed by environmental groups aiming to shut down the detention center. While President Trump praised the facility during his visit earlier this week, the filing from DHS sought to clarify that no federal funds have been used for its establishment.
According to the DHS, “DHS has not implemented, authorized, directed, or funded Florida’s temporary detention center. Florida is constructing and operating the facility using state funds on state lands under state emergency authority and a preexisting general delegation of federal authority to implement immigration functions.”
Human rights advocates and Native American tribes have also raised alarms about the new center, citing potential dangers to the Everglades’ ecosystem, as well as concerns for the health and safety of detainees who may suffer from extreme heat and mosquito infestations.
The site is located in an area vulnerable to heavy rains, which caused some tent flooding during President Trump’s visit to the opening ceremony. However, state officials have assured the public that the facility can withstand a Category 2 hurricane, which can bring winds ranging between 96 and 110 mph.
New signage featuring the ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ name was erected along the highway leading to the detention facility and at the entrance of the airfield, which is primarily known as Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport.
State officials reclaimed the land for the facility using emergency powers granted by an executive order from the governor.
Florida officials argue that establishing the detention center in the rugged, isolated Everglades serves as a deterrent against illegal immigration. The moniker ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ is intended to evoke the notorious federal prison infamously known for its harsh conditions.
The design and messaging surrounding the facility reflect broader strategies employed by the Trump administration and its allies, reinforcing a narrative aimed at persuading undocumented immigrants to leave the country voluntarily.
In tandem with the facility’s launch, the Republican Party of Florida has begun fundraising efforts featuring merchandise branded with the detention center’s name, including T-shirts and beer koozies.
As the situation continues to unfold, the juxtaposition of state ambitions and federal oversight raises significant questions about the future of immigration enforcement and human rights along with environmental implications within the Everglades.
image source from：pbs
