Florida Builds 1,000-Bed Everglades ICE Detention Center

Florida has begun constructing a 1,000-bed detention facility nicknamed "Alligator Alcatraz" on an abandoned airfield in the Everglades to house immigrants detained under President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown. The remote location, surrounded by dangerous wildlife such as alligators and pythons, is intended to serve as a natural deterrent against escapes, reducing the need for heavy security measures. The facility, expected to cost around $450 million annually, may receive partial funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem emphasized the administration's focus on rapidly expanding detention capacity to support mass deportations. However, the project has faced criticism from immigrant rights groups and local officials over concerns about insufficient oversight, health and safety conditions, and environmental impact. The initiative aligns with President Trump's broader immigration agenda, including previous proposals for similarly symbolic border deterrents like a moat filled with alligators.