A planned immigration detention center in Florida’s Everglades—dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz”—has ignited legal challenges and public outcry ahead of its opening. Officials confirmed on Tuesday, June 24th, that the facility, located at the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport, would open in early July. Governor Ron DeSantis described the project as part of efforts to support the Trump administration’s expanded immigration enforcement policies.
The 39-square-mile site is surrounded by wetlands and wildlife, raising environmental concerns. Local and tribal leaders have condemned the development for encroaching on the Big Cypress National Preserve, an ecologically sensitive area with historical and cultural significance. The Miccosukee Tribe, environmentalists, and the mayor of Miami-Dade County warned of long-term damage to Everglades restoration efforts.
The facility will initially house 3,000 detainees, with capacity expanding to 5,000. It features air-conditioned tents, portable infrastructure, and runway access for mass deportations. Officials claim the setup is cost-effective and uses natural barriers like alligators and swamps for perimeter security. Critics argue it reflects a punitive model lacking oversight. According to the American Immigration Council, conditions in large-scale immigration detention sites often raise due process and human rights concerns.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier praised the facility’s strategic isolation, stating, “If people get out, there’s not much waiting for them other than alligators and pythons.” Environmental groups such as Friends of the Everglades filed lawsuits demanding a full environmental review under federal law. Conservationists cited past precedent when a similar airport project in the 1960s was halted after hydrological studies concluded it would destroy the surrounding wetland ecosystem.
Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava urged the state to pause the detention facility project and conduct due diligence. Native leaders criticized the use of tribal lands for incarceration, comparing it to historic forced removals. Legal analysts anticipate federal litigation over the facility’s construction and operation. Advocates warn the centre may violate detainee rights in a region known for extreme summer heat, floods, and limited access to medical infrastructure.
The detention facility project is partially funded by FEMA’s Shelter and Services Program, which assists jurisdictions with temporary housing for migrants. The Environmental Protection Agency classifies surrounding wetlands as vital to Florida’s ecosystem, flood prevention, and water supply. Observers expect prolonged legal and political battles over what many view as a symbol of hardline immigration policy in an ecologically fragile zone.
