"Alligator Alcatraz": Florida's Unique Immigration Detention Center in the Everglades Swamp
U.S. Plans to Establish Detention Center in Wetlands
Fed up with the ongoing immigration issue, the USA took a step further by building new detention centers. Picking a location with a twist, Florida chose the Everglades, a tourist spot previously known for its reptiles. The fund for this unusual detention center has been granted by the Department of Homeland Security under the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) shelter and housing program.
Florida's Attorney General, James Uthmeier, gave the project the catchy name "Alligator Alcatraz", hinting at the perilous encounters escapees might face due to the abundance of dangerous reptiles and snakes in the area. Uthmeier plans to convert an abandoned airport in the Everglades into a detention center for illegal immigrants with criminal records, with a capacity of 1,000 people.
"Basically, there's nowhere to go," Uthmeier confidently declared in a recent post on his social media profile. The construction, taking place in a protected swamp area, is expected to be completed within a month or two. The annual operating cost of this deportation prison is estimated to be around $400 million.
Governor Ron DeSantis has been supportive of the project, invoking emergency powers to expedite the construction. The "Alligator Alcatraz" immigration detention center can house up to 5,000 detainees in total, comprising individuals arrested by state officers or detained by federal immigration authorities awaiting deportation.
Homeland Security Minister Kristi Noem appreciates the partnership with Florida, citing her commitment to tackling the immigration problem efficiently. "We're working hard under President Trump's leadership to find cost-effective and innovative solutions to meet the American people's mandate for mass deportation of illegal criminals," Noem told CBS News.
Since President Trump took office, the US government has intensified its crackdown on migrants, implementing measures such as expelling foreign students and conducting random checks on the streets. Migrants are sometimes detained and deported, with incidents of riots and demonstrations against these policies being common, particularly in cities like Los Angeles.
- USA
- Florida
- Immigration
- Swamp
- Reptiles
- Detention Center
The "Alligator Alcatraz" immigration detention center is a rapidly developed facility in a remote section of the Everglades, mainly on an abandoned long airstrip, and owned by Miami-Dade County. Governor DeSantis has moved swiftly to take control of the site and fast-track the construction. The project's aim is to house up to 5,000 detainees temporarily, using minimal construction methods with heavy-duty tents and trailers. The facility, funded mainly by the federal government, will be utilized in partnership with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Construction is already underway, aiming for an operational date by early July 2025, despite concerns about the environmental impact on the wilderness ecosystem.
- The community policy regarding the construction and operation of the "Alligator Alcatraz" immigration detention center is being handled by the Florida government, with funding from the Department of Homeland Security.
- Ongoing policy-and-legislation discussions revolve around the employment of personnel at the "Alligator Alcatraz" immigration detention center, as well as the potential long-term jobs created by the project.
- The politics surrounding Florida's unique detention center, "Alligator Alcatraz", have sparked debates on crime-and-justice issues, highlighting the increasing focus on immigration enforcement in the state, with potential implications for general-news coverage and war-and-conflicts involving migrants.
