Trump To Tour Florida’s ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ Controversial Detention Facility/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Trump will visit a new immigration detention center in Florida’s Everglades, stirring controversy over environmental impacts and treatment of migrants. The facility, dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz,” could house 5,000 detainees. Critics slam its isolated and harsh location.
Trump Florida Detention Center Quick Looks
- Trump visiting new Florida immigration detention facility Tuesday
- Gov. DeSantis confirms site nearly ready for operation
- Facility built on remote airstrip 50 miles from Miami
- Dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz” for harsh Everglades setting
- Environmentalists, Native American leaders voice strong objections
- Center designed to hold up to 5,000 detainees
- FEMA funds much of the project’s construction costs
- DHS embraces facility’s nickname in social media posts
Deep Look
Trump To Visit Florida’s New Everglades Immigration Facility Amid Criticism Over Harsh Conditions And Environmental Impact
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump plans to visit a new immigration detention facility deep in Florida’s Everglades on Tuesday, shining a spotlight on his intensified immigration crackdown while stirring fierce criticism over the site’s environmental footprint and the harsh conditions migrants could face.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis confirmed Trump’s upcoming trip on Monday, signaling the facility is nearing operational status.
“When the president comes tomorrow, he’s going to be able to see,” DeSantis told reporters. “I think by tomorrow, it’ll be ready for business.”
DeSantis, who unsuccessfully challenged Trump for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, said he spoke with the president over the weekend. The governor added the facility has received Department of Homeland Security approval.
“Alligator Alcatraz” Draws Criticism
Located about 50 miles west of Miami on a remote airstrip, the detention center is designed to hold as many as 5,000 detainees. The surrounding Everglades wilderness is teeming with mosquitoes, pythons, and alligators — factors that have fueled its nickname: “Alligator Alcatraz.”
“There’s really nowhere to go. If you’re housed there, if you’re detained there, there’s no way in, no way out,” said Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, speaking to conservative media host Benny Johnson.
Uthmeier embraced the moniker, describing the facility’s isolation as a security asset. The Trump administration has leaned into the nickname, even sharing images of cartoon alligators wearing ICE hats on DHS social media accounts.
Environmental And Cultural Concerns Emerge
Environmental advocates and Native American leaders have condemned the project, citing potential harm to the fragile Everglades ecosystem and intrusion on lands considered sacred by Indigenous communities.
Critics accuse Trump of using the harsh conditions to deter immigrants and send a punitive message.
“They ain’t going anywhere once they’re there, unless you want them to go somewhere, because good luck getting to civilization,” DeSantis remarked at a separate news conference in Wildwood, Florida.
FEMA Funds Spur Further Debate
State officials are leading the construction of the facility, but a significant portion of funding comes from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The agency, typically tasked with hurricane and disaster response, has faced scrutiny for its role in funding immigration-related infrastructure.
The project underscores Trump’s ongoing emphasis on border security and tough immigration enforcement, which remains central to his political agenda as he heads into the next phase of his presidency.
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