The first group of immigrants has arrived at a new detention center in the Florida Everglades, informally named "Alligator Alcatraz." This facility, constructed rapidly in eight days, is located at the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport and is designed with significant security features, including over 200 security cameras and a perimeter of more than 28,000 feet of barbed wire. Florida's Attorney General, James Uthmeier, indicated that the facility will primarily serve to return immigrants apprehended under the federal 287(g) program to their countries of origin.
Press Secretary Jae Williams confirmed the arrival of detainees but did not disclose specific numbers or arrival times. Hailing the facility's readiness, Uthmeier praised the collaborative efforts among state and federal agencies, including Governor Ron DeSantis, the Department of Homeland Security, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The facility is expected to accommodate an initial capacity of around 3,000 detainees, with plans for expansion in increments of 500 beds, potentially reaching 5,000 beds by early July.
In a demonstration of legislative oversight, a group of Democratic state lawmakers visited the facility to inspect conditions and address concerns about the awarding of significant state contracts for its construction. They issued a statement emphasizing their legal and moral obligation to examine the site and shed light on what they termed "abuse" before it sets a precedent on a national scale.
Federal agencies have expressed their opposition to a lawsuit initiated by environmental groups aiming to halt operations at the facility. This development seems to distance the Trump administration from the project, with the Department of Homeland Security clarifying that no federal funds have been used for its construction or operation. The facility is being built and operated using state resources and authority, according to a U.S. filing.
Critics, including human rights advocates and Native American tribes, have raised alarms about the potential environmental impact on the fragile Everglades ecosystem. They argue that the location poses threats due to extreme weather, including heavy rains that caused flooding during President Trump's visit. State officials claim the center can withstand a Category 2 hurricane and that they are taking measures to mitigate flooding issues.
This detention center's strategic placement in the remote Everglades is intended as a deterrent against illegal immigration. The facility's name, reminiscent of the infamous Alcatraz prison, conveys a harsh message about the state's immigration policies. State and federal officials have promoted the center through social media, leveraging it for fundraising purposes within the Republican Party of Florida, which has begun selling branded merchandise.
Overall, the "Alligator Alcatraz" facility symbolizes the ongoing tensions surrounding immigration policies in Florida, highlighted by both state and federal government involvement, as well as significant public and activist resistance to its operations.
