Trump visits Florida for the launch of ‘Alligator Alcatraz,’ a new Everglades detention center to house and deport illegal immigrants.

Trump to Unveil Remote Detention Facility in Florida Everglades

President Donald Trump will visit Florida on Tuesday to officially open a new immigration detention center in the heart of the Everglades, an isolated and swampy area known for its dangerous wildlife. The facility, referred to as ‘Alligator Alcatraz,’ is located on a 30-square-mile property at the Dade Collier Training and Transition Airport in Miami–Dade County. The site, which was rapidly converted under an emergency order from Governor Ron DeSantis, features tent structures designed to house up to 5,000 illegal immigrants.

Governor DeSantis highlighted the unique security features of the site, stating that the surrounding terrain and local alligator population make it nearly impossible for anyone to escape. “If someone escapes, there are a lot of alligators you’re going to have to contend with. No one’s going anywhere once you do that. It’s as safe and secure as can be,” DeSantis explained at a news conference.

The opening comes amid the Trump administration’s efforts to carry out what White House officials describe as the largest mass deportation campaign in American history. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called the Everglades facility an “efficient and low-cost way” to process and remove criminal illegal immigrants, emphasizing its isolated location and high capacity. “There is only one road leading in and … the only way out is a one-way flight,” Leavitt stated, underscoring the site’s logistical advantages for federal authorities.

Political and Environmental Opposition

The construction of ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ has sparked controversy and protests from environmentalists and Democratic activists. On Saturday, demonstrators lined Highway 41, displaying signs criticizing the center and warning against its impact on people and the Everglades ecosystem. Some signs read “No Alligator Alcatraz” and “Another stupid plan to abuse people & the Everglades.”

Environmental groups, joined by local Democrats, filed a lawsuit Friday against multiple agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security and Florida’s Division of Emergency Management. They argue the facility threatens the fragile ecosystem of the Everglades and could set a dangerous precedent for future development in protected areas.

Despite opposition, state and federal officials remain firm in their support of the center. “The state of Florida is all in on President Trump’s mission,” Governor DeSantis said, touring the facility last week. He stressed the importance of increasing the nation’s ability to intake, process, and deport individuals in the country illegally.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem also endorsed the facility, describing it as a necessary measure for detaining “some of the worst scumbags” who entered the United States during the Biden administration. “Alligator Alcatraz, and other facilities like it, will give us the capability to lock up some of the worst scumbags… I will continue to stand alongside our officers as they protect and defend our homeland. Make America Safe,” Noem wrote on X.

Looking Ahead

As ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ opens, its success and controversy will likely shape the future of immigration policy, law enforcement, and environmental stewardship in Florida and beyond. The facility represents a new phase in the Trump administration’s approach to immigration enforcement, promising both tighter security and continued debate over civil liberties and environmental impacts.