OCHOPEE, Fla. (AP) The first group of immigrants was set to arrive at a new detention center in the Florida Everglades, officially named “Alligator Alcatraz.” Florida Republican Attorney General James Uthmeier confirmed via social media that the facility would be receiving hundreds of “criminal illegal aliens” intended for deportation.
The exact timing of the detainee arrivals and their locations were not disclosed, but buses were reportedly transporting them to the facility. This new detention center, constructed rapidly in just eight days over 10 miles of Everglades land, is built to accommodate around 3,000 detainees once it is fully operational. Governor Ron DeSantis noted that the facility is equipped with over 200 security cameras, extensive lengths of barbed wire, and a security personnel presence of around 400.
The detention center will hold immigrants arrested by Florida law enforcement under the federal government's 287(g) program. This program, overseen by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), permits local police officers to interrogate and detain immigrants for potential deportation under national law.
Initially, the facility will operate with between 500 to 1,000 beds, with plans to expand the capacity in increments of 500 beds until reaching an anticipated total of 5,000 by early July. Environmental advocacy groups and Native American tribes have strongly opposed the center, arguing it poses a significant threat to the sensitive ecosystem of the Everglades, could be inhumane to the detainees due to the intense heat and mosquitoes, and is situated on land considered sacred by the tribes.
Furthermore, the location is prone to heavy rainfall, which had previously caused flooding in some areas of the facility. State officials assured that the site could withstand severe weather, including a Category 2 hurricane, and indicated that contractors worked diligently to address flooding issues that arose during a recent visit by President Donald Trump to inaugurate the facility.
DeSantis and other state officials have argued that establishing the detention center in such a remote and rugged part of the Everglades serves as a deterrent for undocumented immigrants. The facility’s nickname, “Alligator Alcatraz,” deliberately echoes the infamous federal prison known for its harsh conditions, aiming to convey a strong message about the consequences of illegal immigration. This initiative is part of a broader strategy by the Trump administration and its supporters to utilize fear tactics in an effort to encourage voluntary departures among those residing in the U.S. illegally.
State and federal officials have been promoting the detention center on social media and conservative radio platforms, releasing a meme that depicts a compound surrounded by barbed wire, "guarded" by alligators that sport ICE hats. Additionally, the Republican Party of Florida has begun fundraising efforts related to the facility, offering branded merchandise, including T-shirts and beer koozies featuring its name.
Overall, the establishment of “Alligator Alcatraz” represents a significant and controversial step in immigration enforcement strategy within Florida, raising both operational and ethical considerations regarding its impact on the local environment and the individuals detained there.
