Florida to Build $450M Migrant Detention Center in Everglades, Dubbed ‘Alligator Alcatraz’

Florida has launched construction of a new migrant detention facility deep in the Everglades, sparking fierce debate over immigration policy, environmental impact, and federal spending. Nicknamed “Alligator Alcatraz,” the facility is designed to detain undocumented migrants in a remote stretch of wilderness, with officials describing the location itself as a built-in security feature.

The plan, unveiled by state and federal officials last week, calls for the facility to be erected on the site of the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport, an underused airstrip located approximately 36 miles west of Miami. Florida’s Attorney General James Uthmeier described the site as “virtually abandoned,” and said its isolation makes it an ideal location to hold up to 1,000 migrants at a time.

“[If] people get out, there’s not much waiting for them other than alligators and pythons,” Uthmeier said in a video statement posted to social media. “Nowhere to go, nowhere to hide.”

Federal and State Backing

The initiative is being carried out in partnership with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and is expected to cost roughly $450 million per year to operate. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed that the bulk of the funding will come from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Shelter and Services Program—a fund typically used to provide temporary housing and support for migrants, rather than detention infrastructure.

“Under President Trump’s leadership, we are working at turbo speed on cost-effective and innovative ways to deliver on the American people’s mandate for mass deportations of criminal illegal aliens,” Noem said in a statement. “We will expand facilities and bed space in just days, thanks to our partnership with Florida.”

The announcement aligns with Trump’s renewed campaign promises to accelerate deportations and crack down on illegal immigration, signaling an aggressive expansion of detention operations under his second-term agenda.

Environmental Concerns Mount

The plan, however, has drawn immediate criticism from environmental advocates and local leaders, particularly given the sensitive ecosystem in which the facility is being constructed.

Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniela Levine Cava warned the facility could wreak havoc on the Everglades, a fragile and internationally recognized wetland habitat.

“The impacts to the Everglades ecosystem could be devastating,” Levine Cava said in a public statement. “This is a short-sighted approach that threatens one of Florida’s most unique and vital natural resources.”

The Florida Everglades comprise an intricate network of marshes, prairies, forests, mangroves, and estuaries that are home to dozens of endangered species. While officials have noted the detention facility will not technically fall within the boundaries of Everglades National Park, environmentalists argue that proximity alone raises serious ecological red flags.

“This isn’t just about square mileage—it’s about interconnected water flows, animal migration, and pollution runoff,” said Luis Moreno, a regional director with the Sierra Club. “You don’t build a prison in the heart of a wetland without serious consequences.”

A New Frontier for Immigration Detention?

The “Alligator Alcatraz” moniker may have started as dark humor, but the concept is already being viewed as a test case for future remote detention strategies. Proponents argue that the isolated location reduces the risk of escape, decreases reliance on urban infrastructure, and streamlines security logistics.

“This is a model for how we can detain and deport individuals efficiently while minimizing risk to local communities,” Uthmeier said, adding that the facility could be operational within 30 to 60 days.

But critics say the very nature of the site—a swampy, dangerous environment far from legal counsel and support systems—raises ethical questions about due process and humane treatment.

“This is designed not just to hold people, but to isolate them—geographically, legally, and socially,” said Sofia Alvarado, an immigration attorney with the Florida Immigrant Coalition. “If you’re 36 miles into the Everglades, who’s going to come visit you? Who’s going to advocate for you?”

Political Fallout and Legal Questions

The announcement has also triggered political backlash at the local and state level. Several Democratic lawmakers have questioned whether FEMA funds, originally intended for emergency shelter services, should be used to finance a long-term detention operation. Legal experts suggest the move could be challenged in court on statutory grounds.

Meanwhile, Republican supporters have praised the initiative as a bold and necessary step to deal with a growing crisis.

“This is what leadership looks like,” said Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL). “The American people are tired of open borders, and this facility will help us regain control.”

Still, the optics of a swamp-side detention center, fortified by nature’s own predators, may prove controversial—even among moderates.

What’s Next

Construction is already underway, with officials projecting the center could begin housing detainees before the end of the summer. The site is expected to hold migrants temporarily while they await processing or deportation under Trump’s ramped-up enforcement strategy.

Whether the “Alligator Alcatraz” will become a cornerstone of future immigration policy—or a cautionary tale—remains to be seen. What is certain is that the eyes of the nation, and the world, are now fixed on a remote stretch of tarmac deep in the Everglades, where immigration, environmental stewardship, and human rights are set on a collision course