Florida’s “Alligator Alcatraz” Immigration Detention Center Nears Opening in Everglades, Drawing Fierce Backlash

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Construction is rapidly advancing on Florida’s controversial new immigration detention facility, dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz,” with state officials projecting it will be operational by early July. The site, located at the remote Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport—about 36 miles west of Miami in the heart of the Everglades—will initially house up to 1,000 migrants, with plans to expand capacity to 5,000 beds in the coming months.

The project, approved by the Department of Homeland Security on June 23, is a centerpiece of the Trump administration’s mass deportation strategy. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, who spearheaded the initiative, describes the facility as a “cost-effective” solution, citing the surrounding alligator- and python-filled swampland as a natural security barrier. “We don’t need to build a lot of brick and mortar… thankfully. Mother Nature does a lot on the perimeter,” Uthmeier said, emphasizing the minimal need for traditional fencing or walls.

The compound consists primarily of heavy-duty tents, trailers, and temporary structures similar to those used in disaster response. The estimated annual operating cost is $450 million, funded largely through FEMA’s Shelter and Services Program. The National Guard and private contractors will provide additional security and operational support.

The facility’s construction has ignited strong opposition from environmentalists, immigrant advocates, and local officials. Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava has demanded a comprehensive environmental review, warning that the project could inflict lasting damage on the fragile Everglades ecosystem, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Miccosukee Tribe and other groups have staged protests, citing both ecological harm and the cultural significance of the land. Critics, including U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost, have condemned the site as a “cruel spectacle,” raising concerns about detainee health risks from extreme heat, mosquitoes, and the remote, inhospitable location.

Despite the backlash, Florida officials insist the facility is essential to support the federal government’s immigration crackdown, which has resulted in record-high detentions in June. Construction began immediately after state law enforcement seized control of the Miami-Dade-owned land under emergency powers granted by Governor Ron DeSantis, bypassing traditional legislative and local oversight.

With additional holding units planned and federal approval secured, “Alligator Alcatraz” is set to become a national flashpoint in the ongoing debate over immigration enforcement, environmental protection, and human rights in the United States.