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Title: Trump to Visit Florida’s Controversial Migrant Detention Center Nicknamed "Alligator Alcatraz"
This week, U.S. President Donald Trump is set to tour a migrant detention facility in Florida, informally known as "Alligator Alcatraz," located in a reptile-rich swamp, as per a statement from the White House on Monday.
The 5,000-bed facility, situated at a former airfield within the Everglades, is part of Trump’s ongoing efforts to increase the deportation of undocumented immigrants. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that the center is strategically located in a remote area, saying, "The facility is nestled deep in the Everglades, and only one road leads in. The only exit is via a one-way flight. It’s isolated and surrounded by hazardous wildlife and challenging terrain."
When questioned during the press briefing about the presence of alligators being a "design feature," Leavitt remarked, "With illegal murderers, rapists, and dangerous criminals housed in a facility encircled by alligators, yes, I do believe it serves as a deterrent against escapes."
Trump’s visit aligns with his efforts to push through a major tax and spending bill in Congress that includes funding for his extensive deportation efforts. According to Leavitt, "The President’s trip to this facility highlights the necessity of passing the ‘One Big, Beautiful Bill,’ which is essential for expanding detention facilities nationwide."
Just last week, Florida announced the construction of this facility, claimed to be in the midst of a vast network of mangroves and swamps within the Everglades conservation zone. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, speaking about the 30-square-mile area, referred to it as a "cost-effective opportunity for a temporary detention facility, with minimal perimeter investment."
The name "Alligator Alcatraz" draws a parallel with the infamous prison on Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay, a location Trump has also expressed interest in reopening. Uthmeier added, "If individuals manage to escape, there’s little waiting for them except for alligators and pythons."
The facility is projected to cost about $450 million annually to maintain and is part of a broader campaign by Republican officials aiming to create intimidating conditions to deter migrants from entering the U.S.
Since Trump’s return to the White House in January, his administration has been coordinating with local law enforcement to assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in intensifying the detention and arrest of undocumented migrants. While officials emphasize the focus on apprehending violent offenders, numerous migrants with no charges have also been caught up in the sweeps.
This high-visibility deportation initiative has faced backlash from critics and has sparked protests against ICE in various American cities, including Los Angeles. Environmental groups have also voiced objections to the construction of the facility in a subtropical ecosystem that supports over 2,000 species of flora and fauna.
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