Florida Democrats, led by state Sen. Shevrin Jones and Rep. Anna Eskamani, have announced plans for an official legislative visit to the controversial ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ immigration detention center, currently under construction near the Everglades and Big Cypress National Preserve. The site, set to house 5,000 ICE detainees, has drawn significant criticism following reports of safety concerns, including flooding and structural issues, raising alarm about its conditions and emergency readiness. The visit, scheduled for Thursday, follows recent allegations that illegal immigrants were transferred to the facility amid the recent flooding, which officials say exacerbates existing safety concerns. The lawmakers argue that the facility, which has been criticized as a ‘remote, taxpayer-funded facility at the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport,’ lacks proper oversight and represents a ‘no-bid, $450 million pay-for-play scheme to enrich GOP donors.’
The visit comes days after President Donald Trump, along with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, visited the site earlier this week. Democrats have accused the Trump administration of greenlighting the project as a political move, while Trump officials have dismissed the inspection as a ‘political stunt’ and insisted it falls under the jurisdiction of the federal government. Environmental groups, including Friends of the Everglades and the Center for Biological Diversity, have also filed a federal lawsuit to halt construction, arguing that the site’s development could harm the delicate ecosystem of the Everglades. Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin has criticized the lawsuit as ‘lazy,’ claiming the land had already been developed for a decade. However, the lawsuit seeks to delay construction to allow for an environmental impact assessment, adding further tension to the already contentious controversy surrounding the facility.
Democrats have also taken the opportunity to highlight broader national issues, such as housing affordability and the property insurance crisis, arguing that DeSantis should focus on these challenges rather than creating ‘more chaos.’ The inspection, led by a coalition of state legislators, is framed as a necessary step to ensure accountability and transparency, with the lawmakers demanding answers on the facility’s safety, management, and legal compliance. As the site continues to face both political and environmental scrutiny, the outcome of this inspection could significantly influence the national discourse on immigration policy and infrastructure development in sensitive natural areas.