Welcome to Alligator Alcatraz!
Deep in the Everglades swamps of Florida, where nature should reign, something straight out of a nightmare for migrants is being built – a new detention center already dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz.” Yes, you read that right! The abandoned Dade-Collier airport, surrounded by hundreds of alligators and snakes, is being turned into a prison for migrants.
Why here?
About 70 kilometers west of Miami, in a swamp area that is part of a UNESCO protected zone, trucks carrying construction materials and tents are entering the complex. Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis activated emergency powers to stop the influx of undocumented migrants. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier showed no sympathy, stating, “You don’t need to invest much in security. If someone escapes, only alligators and pythons await them.”
Capacity and conditions
The center will hold around 1,000 people and is expected to start operating in July or August. The complex is surrounded by swamps, with unbearable summer heat and millions of mosquitoes. BBC journalists managed to get only a few meters inside before being stopped by guards.
Protests and concerns
Betty Osceola, a member of the Miccosukee indigenous community living nearby, has protested against the center. She told the BBC she is seriously concerned about environmental damage. Similar concerns are voiced by organizations like Friends of the Everglades and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Florida. The ACLU called the center “cruel and absurd,” highlighting that the immigration system increasingly uses punishment rather than lawful processing.
Mass deportations and overcrowding
President Donald Trump is ordering the largest deportation in U.S. history, and detention centers are already overcrowded – ICE holds over 59,000 people, 40% above capacity.
Federal support and funding
Kristi Noem from the Department of Homeland Security confirmed Florida will receive federal funds for building this center, financed by FEMA. Trucks with generators have already been seen entering the complex, and construction is progressing rapidly.
Local authorities and migrant fears
Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava expressed concerns about environmental impact and project funding. While immigration raids are common in cities like Los Angeles, they are less frequent in South Florida, but many undocumented Latino migrants fear leaving their homes due to the threat of arrest and being sent to such centers.
Conclusion
While the world grapples with migration issues, America under Trump’s administration is building “Alligator Alcatraz” – a prison in the swamps where people will be held in conditions reminiscent of a horror movie. Is this humane? Is this a solution? Or just another step towards brutalizing the immigration system?
If you have thoughts or maybe a funny joke about alligators and prisons, feel free to share in the comments. We promise we won’t get mad!
