President Donald Trump is set to visit Florida for the grand opening of an immigration detention center in the Everglades called ‘Alligator Alcatraz,’ a facility supported by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis but opposed by environmentalists and critics. The facility, located on a former airport, will house up to 5,000 illegal immigrants and is part of a broader deportation campaign.
The facility’s location, amid the dense swamplands of the Everglades, has sparked concern over its environmental impact. Environmentalists and Democrats have criticized the project, arguing that it threatens the delicate ecosystem. In contrast, DeSantis and the Trump administration argue that the center is essential for processing and deporting illegal immigrants, emphasizing its isolation and natural security provided by the surrounding wildlife.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed Trump’s trip, highlighting the detention center as part of the largest mass deportation campaign in American history. The facility’s design, surrounded by alligators and other wildlife, is intended to serve as a natural deterrent against escape attempts. DeSantis has also received support from other officials, including Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, who endorsed the center as an ideal place to detain individuals deemed ‘scumbags’ who entered the U.S. under the previous administration.
Despite the administration’s defense, the project has faced legal challenges. Environmental groups have filed a last-minute lawsuit to block the construction, claiming it will disrupt the Everglades ecosystem. Protests have also been held along Highway 41, with demonstrators opposing the facility and demanding the removal of ICE from the region. The controversy highlights the growing tension between immigration policy, national security, and environmental conservation in the United States.