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Florida’s ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ Detention Center Faces Backlash

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Construction site of the Alligator Alcatraz migrant detention center amidst wetlands

News Summary

A proposed migrant detention center in the Everglades, dubbed ‘Alligator Alcatraz,’ is under legal fire and environmental scrutiny. Governor Ron DeSantis endorses the facility’s urgent construction, designed to hold 5,000 immigrants. Environmental and advocacy groups argue it threatens the sensitive ecosystem of the Everglades. The project faces criticism for its potential inhumanity and ties to past immigration policies. As public opposition mounts, the situation highlights a clash between immigration enforcement efforts and environmental preservation in Florida.

Florida’s Controversial “Alligator Alcatraz” Migrant Detention Center Sparks Legal and Environmental Concerns

Tallahassee, Florida – A proposed migrant detention center in the Everglades, informally referred to as “Alligator Alcatraz,” is facing mounting legal challenges and environmental scrutiny. This facility, designed to house up to 5,000 undocumented immigrants, is rapidly being constructed on a former airstrip, raising significant concerns among environmental groups and community advocates.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has criticized the state Legislature’s recently submitted $115.1 billion budget for being insufficiently transformative while hinting at upcoming vetoes. The budget, accompanied by a tax package, was presented to him on June 30, 2025. As discussions unfold about the fiscal direction for the state in the upcoming years, DeSantis’s administration pushes forward with immigration efforts that include the development of this controversial detention center.

The facility will be built quickly and feature dormitories, heavy-duty tents, and services such as medical care and recreational spaces. Projected to cost approximately $450 million annually and funded by FEMA, the center’s construction is expected to be completed in just eight days. This expedited development method has already raised eyebrows about the appropriateness of the site, which is situated in an ecologically sensitive region.

Opposition against the detention center has led to legal action from environmental and advocacy groups such as Friends of the Everglades and the Center for Biological Diversity. These organizations have filed a lawsuit, arguing that the construction lacks a mandatory environmental review and that this fast-tracked plan threatens the fragile Everglades ecosystem. Critics of the project emphasize that the site is located in an area over 96% wetlands, which is home to endangered species, including the Florida panther.

Concerns regarding the detention facility extend beyond environmental issues; critics also label the project as “inhumane” and politically motivated. Prominent voices, including state Senator Carlos Smith, have condemned the initiative, framing it as a dangerous step towards increasing state efforts in detaining undocumented immigrants under the principles established by the Trump administration. DeSantis’s vision includes collaboration with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to further develop sites like Camp Blanding, a training site for the Florida National Guard, for similar purposes.

The Florida Republican Party has recently added to the controversy by marketing merchandise, such as T-shirts and beverages branded with “Alligator Alcatraz,” indicating a level of public engagement and support that some might find troubling in light of the ongoing legal battles. Moreover, protests led by Native American groups are anticipated due to the proximity of the facility to significant sacred lands, compounding the social and cultural implications of its construction.

Despite facing substantial opposition, DeSantis defends the detention center’s location, asserting that its previous use as an airport minimizes potential ecological consequences. He considers the isolated site a strategic advantage in deterring illegal immigration, proposing that the harsh environmental conditions act as a natural barrier. This facility is not just an isolated case; it marks a broader effort to expand the number of federal immigration detention beds from 41,000 to at least 100,000, targeting a significant increase in the state’s capacity for immigration enforcement.

The ongoing debate surrounding the “Alligator Alcatraz” detention center highlights a complex intersection of immigration policy, environmental preservation, and community interests in Florida. With legal battles anticipated in the forthcoming months, the outcome will likely shape both the state’s environmental landscape and its approach to immigration enforcement moving forward.

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