Located at the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport in Ochopee, Florida, the “Alligator Alcatraz” is a new immigration detention facility in the Everglades, designed to hold up to 5,000 migrants in tents and trailers on a 39-square-mile abandoned airstrip. Proposed by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier and backed by Governor Ron DeSantis, the facility, operational as of July 1, 2025, aims to support the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. Its remote location, surrounded by alligator and python-filled swamps, is touted as a natural security feature, reducing the need for extensive infrastructure.
The facility’s design prioritizes rapid construction, completed in roughly a week using temporary structures. However, its placement in a 96% wetland area near Big Cypress National Preserve has sparked significant environmental concerns. Groups like Friends of the Everglades and the Center for Biological Diversity filed a federal lawsuit on June 27, 2025, alleging violations of the Endangered Species Act and National Environmental Policy Act due to bypassed environmental reviews. The site threatens endangered species like the Florida panther and disrupts the Everglades’ delicate ecosystem, a critical freshwater source.
Tribal justice issues are also prominent. The Miccosukee Tribe, with villages just 900 feet from the facility, denounces it as a threat to their ancestral lands and cultural heritage. Tribal chairman Talbert Cypress criticized its environmental impact, noting its proximity to sacred sites.
Costing $450 million annually, Florida will front the expenses, seeking reimbursement from FEMA and DHS. The Florida GOP’s messaging strategy, including merchandise like “Alligator Alcatraz” T-shirts, emphasizes security and deterrence, framing the facility as a bold solution. Critics, including Democrats and activists, condemn it as inhumane, citing harsh conditions and dehumanizing rhetoric. Protests on June 28, 2025, highlighted widespread opposition, blending environmental, tribal, and human rights concerns.
