A massive new detention facility deep in Florida’s Everglades is turning heads—and setting a new standard for border enforcement. Nicknamed “Alligator Alcatraz,” the swamp-based stronghold reflects the hardline immigration vision championed by President Trump and Governor Ron DeSantis.
Deportation Meets the Swamp
A massive detention facility dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz” is rising from the heart of the Florida Everglades, designed to hold up to 3,000 criminal illegal immigrants. Built at the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport, this facility aligns with President Trump’s hardline deportation plan and Governor Ron DeSantis’s state-level enforcement push.
Surrounded by gator-infested swamps and armed with cutting-edge surveillance, officials say escape is virtually impossible. James Uthmeier, DeSantis’s chief of staff, put it bluntly:
“You don’t need to invest that much in the perimeter. If people get out, there’s not much waiting for them other than alligators and pythons.”
The virtually abandoned Florida airport being turned into 'Alligator Alcatraz' https://t.co/GOPEwLvKHU
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) June 25, 2025
Protests and Pushback
The project has ignited fierce criticism from left-wing advocacy groups, including the ACLU, who slammed it as “cruel and absurd.” Critics say the facility represents a shift from processing to punishment, calling the swamp location inhumane and environmentally reckless.
Miami-Dade County’s Democrat mayor, Daniella Levine Cava, voiced concern about damage to the environment and sacred tribal lands. Native American leaders say the Everglades are not only ecologically fragile but spiritually significant, and are considering legal action.
A Symbol of America First Policy
Despite protests, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem defended the project, saying those detained can “avoid confinement by self-deporting.” The message from the administration is clear: Follow the law or face removal.
This is an excellent place for illegals; it's called Alligator Alcatraz. An old abandoned airfield in the middle of a swamp. Surrounded by alligators, pythons, and more. pic.twitter.com/WaOvPwSNKi
— stoneyman1 (@paul_merrey1945) June 28, 2025
During the facility’s unveiling, President Trump and Governor DeSantis praised the effort as a model for future immigration policy. DeSantis hinted at expanding similar detention hubs across the state, including one potentially near Camp Blanding, signaling that Florida will be a firewall against illegal immigration.
“We’re going to secure our borders—and we’ll do it with Florida strength,” said DeSantis.
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The virtually abandoned Florida airport being turned into ‘Alligator Alcatraz’
What is ‘Alligator Alcatraz’: Inside the controversial Florida detention center