Florida’s first migrant detention and deportation facility — nicknamed “Alligator Alcatraz” — is now operational deep in the Everglades, sparking fierce political debate across the state. While Republican officials praised the center as a bold step in immigration enforcement, Democrats and environmentalists condemned it as a reckless move endangering both human rights and a fragile ecosystem.
The facility officially opened last Tuesday with a high-profile visit from President Trump and began accepting detainees shortly after. With a maximum capacity of 3,000 individuals, the temporary center was pushed through at breakneck speed following a proposal from Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier. He assured reporters that detainees would be treated “fairly” and processed “swiftly.”
“We’ll make sure people get the necessary due process,” Uthmeier said. “We’ll get them in, get them out.”
But critics are far from convinced. Democratic lawmakers in both state and federal offices quickly sounded the alarm, warning that the facility poses major environmental threats to the Everglades and raises serious civil liberties concerns.
“Florida’s River of Grass is no place for a prison,” said a joint letter from state Democrats and U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, urging Governor Ron DeSantis to halt operations. “We further request that you commit to a transparent and science-based environmental review process for any future development plans affecting the Everglades region.”
Despite those objections, Uthmeier defended the project, stating that all logistics — including food and waste — are managed externally to avoid pollution. “Nothing’s going into the Everglades,” he claimed.
The controversy is growing as Florida prepares to expand its detention infrastructure. About 400 miles north, officials are set to break ground on a second center at Camp Blanding, a Florida National Guard base. State Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie said construction could begin immediately after the Fourth of July holiday.
“I would say, right after our wonderful Independence Day, we will be starting construction near that facility,” Guthrie confirmed. Uthmeier added, “You have another big runway there too,” referencing the site’s logistical capabilities.
The Camp Blanding facility is expected to house another 2,000 detainees, bringing Florida’s total detention capacity to 5,000 once both centers are operational.
The DeSantis administration is reportedly spending over $450 million to build the two sites. While that sum is currently being covered by the state, Governor DeSantis has suggested the federal government may ultimately reimburse the cost.
Despite growing public protests, petitions, and pressure from environmental groups, state officials and the Trump administration have shown no signs of backing down — setting the stage for an escalating legal and political battle over Florida’s evolving role in the national immigration crackdown.
