President Donald Trump has inaugurated a new detention center in the Florida Everglades, nicknamed "Alligator Alcatraz," to hold illegal immigrants. Built in a mere seven days, this $450 million-per-year facility is located 37 miles from Miami and is a critical piece of the administration's deportation strategy. Trump labeled the inhabitants as some of the "most menacing migrants" and suggested that American-born criminals might also be deported. The center consists of tents and trailers, with air-conditioned interiors, surrounded by a chain-linked fence. It was constructed on land controversially seized from Miami-Dade County and is adjacent to an airstrip for quick deportations. Trump praised the site's natural defenses, including the surrounding swamp and wildlife. Despite facing criticism from Democrats, environmentalists, and Native American groups, Trump is determined to replicate this model nationwide. The facility, which can hold up to 3,000 detainees, underscores the administration's stringent immigration policies and follows Trump's proposals to deport American criminals to foreign prisons.President Donald Trump has officially opened a new detention facility designed to hold thousands of illegal immigrants in the Florida Everglades, a move that has stirred controversy and highlighted the administration's hardline approach to immigration enforcement. The facility, known as "Alligator Alcatraz," is situated approximately 37 miles from Miami and is surrounded by the dense swamp and dangerous wildlife of the Everglades.
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During a recent tour of the $450 million-per-year center, Trump characterized the facility as a holding place for "some of the most menacing migrants, the most vicious people on the planet." He also hinted at the possibility of deporting American-born individuals who have committed crimes, stating, "I think we ought to get them the hell out of here too, if you want to know the truth. So maybe that’ll be the next job."
Alligator Alcatraz was constructed rapidly, with rows of tents and trailers enclosed by chain-linked fencing. Inside, the temporary structures are air-conditioned, offering some respite from the harsh Everglades environment. The camp sits on land that was seized from Miami-Dade County by Florida state officials, despite objections from local leaders.
Adjacent to the detention center is an 11,000-foot airstrip, which Florida Governor Ron DeSantis stated would be used for rapid deportation flights to third countries. Trump lauded the facility's strategic location, drawing a comparison to the notorious Alcatraz prison, and expressed his intention to expand this model to other parts of the nation, with plans for additional facilities in Florida.
The establishment of Alligator Alcatraz has been met with criticism from various groups. Democrats have decried it as a "makeshift prison camp," while environmentalists are concerned about the potential impact on the Everglades ecosystem. Native American groups have protested the construction on land they consider sacred. Nevertheless, Trump remained dismissive of the controversy, stating, "I couldn't care less."
The president acknowledged the harsh conditions surrounding the detention center, noting that it is not an area conducive to recreational activities. This new facility marks a significant expansion of immigration enforcement infrastructure and underscores the administration's tough stance on border security. It follows Trump's previous suggestions to deport convicted criminals from the U.S. to a notorious prison in El Salvador.
Alligator Alcatraz is designed to accommodate up to 3,000 illegal immigrants and is built with tents and trailers to facilitate rapid construction and potential expansion. State officials and Republican leaders have defended the facility as a necessary measure for immigration control, even as local opposition persists.
