Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Attorney General James Uthmeier are moving forward with a controversial migrant detention center, dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz,” set to begin operation Tuesday, according to state officials .
Located on a disused airstrip in the Big Cypress National Preserve, approximately 45 miles west of Miami, the site is being developed to hold up to 5,000 migrants in a network of tents and temporary structures. State officials cite the surrounding alligators and pythons as natural security features, eliminating the need for extensive perimeter fencing.
The Florida National Guard has deployed around 100 troops, with operations expected to begin on July 1.
Controversy Erupts
- Native Tribes, including the Miccosukee and Seminole, are strongly protesting. They say the site lies on sacred ancestral land, containing ceremonial grounds and burial sites.
- Environmental advocates warn the project threatens sensitive Everglades ecosystems, including wetlands and endangered species like Florida panthers.
- Critics describe the plan as inhumane, citing heat, wildlife hazards, and lack of infrastructure at the remote site.
Governor DeSantis has defended the project, calling it a cost-effective, temporary solution and dismissing environmental impact concerns as minimal
Funding and Broader Plans
Some of the project’s cost—approximately $450 million annually—will be funded through a FEMA Shelter and Services grant, not hurricane relief funds. DeSantis has also indicated a second detention center could be established at Camp Blanding to support federal deportation efforts
