Florida's Alligator Alcatraz Detention Center Draws Widespread Criticism, MAGA Supporters

The newly opened immigration detention center in Florida's Everglades, known as "Alligator Alcatraz," has sparked widespread controversy and criticism. Established under the Trump administration and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, the facility is located in a remote, alligator-infested swamp area and designed to detain thousands of migrants, but has drawn condemnation for harsh, inhumane conditions, including overcrowding, exposure to extreme weather, and lack of basic necessities. Miami Archbishop Thomas Wenski has publicly denounced the rhetoric and treatment associated with the center, describing it as "alarming" and "unbecoming of public officials," while detainees report suffering from inadequate food, lack of medical care, and constant lighting. Meanwhile, the detention center has become a polarizing symbol, attracting both human rights protests and a surge of MAGA supporters who visit as a tourist attraction, which has further fueled outrage from critics. President Trump himself praised the facility, joking about the natural wildlife as a deterrent to escape and promoting it as a model for immigration enforcement. The Lincoln Project has also released a viral ad criticizing the facility and the administration’s immigration policies, underscoring growing public disgust and shame over the treatment of immigrants.