Set to accommodate 1,000 detainees, the "Alligator Alcatraz" facility in Florida's Everglades is raising serious environmental and human rights concerns. Built to further the Trump administration's deportation agenda, protesters criticize potential prison conditions and ecological damage.
Florida's New "Alligator Alcatraz": Migrant Detention Center Amid Environmental Concerns
Florida's New "Alligator Alcatraz": Migrant Detention Center Amid Environmental Concerns
A remote former airport in the Everglades is being transformed into a migrant detention facility called "Alligator Alcatraz," sparking debates over its implications for human rights and climate.
Construction is underway at a nearly deserted Florida airport as authorities lay the groundwork for a new migrant detention facility dubbed "Alligator Alcatraz." Located in the picturesque Everglades, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this facility is part of a larger effort by state Republicans to bolster President Donald Trump's aggressive deportation policies.
A convoy of trucks, delivering materials like tents and portable restrooms to the site of the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport, is not establishing a tourist attraction but laying the foundation for what many see as a symbol of controversial immigration enforcement. Florida's attorney general, James Uthmeier, noted that the location's natural barriers include alligators and pythons, highlighting the site's isolation.
This airports’ transformation is a response to a 2023 executive order from Governor Ron DeSantis, aiming to reduce the flow of undocumented migrants. The facility is expected to house around 1,000 individuals when operations begin in July or August, contributing to the Trump administration's pursuit of what they call "the single largest mass deportation programme in history." However, many human rights organizations have voiced alarm over the already overcrowded facilities managed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which reportedly has a current count that exceeds capacity by 140%.
Environmental advocates and local community members share growing concerns about the ecological implications of constructing a detention center in this sensitive area. Betty Osceola, a member of the Miccosukee Native American community, participated in protests against the facility, worrying it will not be a temporary operation but could run for years. She emphasized concerns about both environmental damage and the treatment of detainees.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has criticized the project, describing it as cruel and an extension of a punitive immigration system that often neglects the well-being of those detained. In contrast, Uthmeier, in a promotional video, characterized the center as a cost-effective solution to immigration challenges, insisting it would provide security without substantial investment in fencing or perimeter security.
The U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, reinforced commitment to mass deportations, assuring that federal funds would facilitate the project. Meanwhile, Miami-Dade County's mayor, Daniella Levine Cava, expressed serious concerns regarding funding and environmental consequences, pressing for clearer communication from state authorities.
Though immigration raids have become prevalent in various parts of the nation, this newly proposed center in Florida is feared to create an environment of fear among the undocumented Latino population, reinforcing their hesitance to engage with local authorities due to the threat of detention.
