New aerial footage has revealed the high-security immigration detention center in Florida’s Everglades, dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz.” Opened under Governor Ron DeSantis’s orders earlier this month, this facility is located at the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport, about 45 miles west of Miami. It is designed to house thousands of undocumented immigrants and also serve as a “transitional shelter.” The site is described as “escape-proof” due to its isolated terrain, surrounded by wetlands that are home to alligators, crocodiles, and other wildlife.
The Florida Division of Emergency Management manages the facility in coordination with agencies like ICE. The state has estimated its operational costs will exceed $450 million annually. Following a tour of the site on July 1, former President Donald Trump praised it, asserting that “it’s great government” and likening it to the real Alcatraz, though he admitted he would not want to hike there, emphasizing that “the only way out is really deportation.”
Despite its perceived high security, the center has faced backlash from immigration advocates who highlight concerns about overcrowding and the treatment of detainees. Reports indicate that roughly 60% of individuals held there do not have criminal records, with around 900 men sleeping in tents. Critics also worry about the facility’s potential impact on the Everglades ecosystem, which is home to 36 endangered or threatened species. The situation reflects ongoing tensions surrounding immigration policy and the treatment of migrants within the U.S.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image of the presented article.
