The state of Florida has unveiled plans to allocate $20 million to Miami-Dade and Collier counties for acquiring a defunct airport in the heart of the Everglades. This is part of a broader strategy to establish an immigrant detention facility in this remote area. Dubbed "Alligator Alcatraz" by State Attorney General James Uthmeier, the project is named for the wildlife surrounding the site, which is being promoted as a model of prison efficiency.
Kevin Guthrie, head of the Division of Emergency Management, has sent a letter of intent to Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. The letter outlines the state's intention to purchase the land and rights of way to the now-unused Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport. This site is expected to become a crucial asset for logistical operations, resource deployment, and emergency response activities.
The proposed detention center aims to house 1,000 immigrants who have entered the country illegally. According to a report by Telemundo 51, the Attorney General believes the facility could be operational 30 to 60 days after construction begins. The project envisions a multifunctional detention infrastructure where individuals could be detained, legally processed, and deported, utilizing the airport's existing 10,500-foot (3.20-kilometer) runway.
The Florida National Guard would support the operation by providing military lawyers to serve as immigration judges, expediting the process under state jurisdiction. However, Mayor Levine Cava has expressed reservations about the environmental and social implications of the plan. She has emphasized that any decision should thoroughly review the potential impact on the Everglades, a protected and fragile ecosystem, warning of "significant long-term consequences for our community."
"Understanding the full scope and scale of the proposed site usage is crucial," Levine Cava stated. The center's location—a secluded, jungle-like 39-square-mile area with restricted access—has been touted as a tactical advantage by Uthmeier. "There's nowhere to run. If someone escapes, they encounter alligators and pythons," he remarked, noting that an expensive security perimeter would be unnecessary.
A promotional video released by the conservative outlet Florida’s Voice emphasizes this view, presenting natural isolation as a containment mechanism. The controversial proposal is not an isolated initiative. It stems from legislative efforts spearheaded by Governor Ron DeSantis and supported by recently enacted state laws aimed at toughening Florida's immigration policy.
Uthmeier has described the initiative as a direct contribution to the national mass deportation strategy announced by Donald Trump. In this context, "Alligator Alcatraz" would serve as a pivotal platform for executing rapid and centralized deportations, aligned with the former president’s promises of conducting "the largest deportation operation in U.S. history."
While some conservative circles see Florida leading the way with such measures, human rights organizations and community leaders regard the proposal as an alarming example of the dehumanization and criminalization of immigrant populations. The use of the natural environment as a deterrent barrier and the punitive symbolism of the chosen name evoke dystopian scenarios more akin to fiction than sensible public policy.
Meanwhile, Uthmeier has publicly urged counties to establish cooperation agreements with ICE, pointing out reluctant officials such as Broward County Sheriff Gregory Tony, who stated his officers would not participate in ICE raids. Concurrently, immigration raids have intensified across the state.
The future of the so-called Alligator Alcatraz now hinges on the approval of local governments and the necessary federal permits to develop infrastructure in an environmentally sensitive area. The controversy is underway, and the debate is just beginning.
Key Questions About "Alligator Alcatraz" Detention Center
What is the purpose of the Alligator Alcatraz detention center?
The Alligator Alcatraz detention center is intended to house, process, and deport immigrants who have entered the United States illegally, using the facility's existing infrastructure for expedited legal proceedings.
Why is the location in the Everglades chosen for this facility?
The remote Everglades location is considered a tactical advantage due to its natural isolation, which serves as a containment measure without the need for costly security perimeters.
What are the environmental concerns associated with this project?
Environmental concerns center around the impact on the Everglades, a protected and fragile ecosystem, which could face significant long-term consequences from the development of the detention center.