Violent criminal illegal immigrants are now being housed at Florida’s controversial “Alligator Alcatraz” immigrant detention facility in the Everglades, as protests and environmental concerns intensify. Criminals convicted of serious crimes like rape, child abuse, and murder are being housed in the facility. The facility has been the target of protests and lawsuits from environmental organizations and Native American tribes. The temporary, “light infrastructure” 5,000-bed facility is partially funded by FEMA.
Florida’s Hardline Approach to Illegal Immigration
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Attorney General James Uthmeier have established what they call “Alligator Alcatraz,” a detention facility specifically targeting criminal illegal immigrants. Located at the remote Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport near the Everglades, the facility is designed to house 5,000 individuals identified by the Department of Homeland Security as violent offenders. The detention center represents one of the harshest implementations of Florida’s anti-immigration policies, with officials proudly noting the natural deterrents surrounding the facility.
Governor DeSantis has emphasized the security aspects of the location, stating, “Clearly, from a security perspective, if someone escapes, you know, there are many alligators. No one’s going anywhere.”
Not just 'Alligator Alcatraz': DeSantis floats building another immigration detention center https://t.co/l65uJigVPl
— WFTV Channel 9 (@WFTV) June 25, 2025
Criminal Records of Detainees
Florida GOP officials have launched a social media campaign highlighting the criminal backgrounds of those being detained at the facility. According to information released by the state, detainees include individuals convicted of serious crimes, including homicide, child abuse, forcible rape, kidnapping, sexual assault of children under 13, vehicle theft, aggravated assault of police officers, and producing and distributing child pornography. Florida GOP Chairman Evan Power has credited President Trump, Governor DeSantis, and Attorney General Uthmeier for prioritizing public safety by removing these individuals from communities.
The Republican administration has pushed back against claims on social media that innocent elderly individuals are being detained at the facility. Instead, they emphasize that “Alligator Alcatraz” houses only what they describe as the “worst of the worst” criminal illegal immigrants who pose significant threats to public safety. The initiative has gained support from those who prioritize stricter enforcement of immigration laws.
DeSantis Unveils ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ — A New Model for Mass Deportations Without D.C. Approval
Florida just opened the most aggressive illegal immigration facility in the country — and @RonDeSantis says it's only the beginning.
“Got a state-of-the-art facility built… can hold… pic.twitter.com/ga4yGi88J4
— The Vigilant Fox 🦊 (@VigilantFox) July 2, 2025
Environmental and Human Rights Concerns
The facility has faced significant opposition from environmental activists, Native American tribes, and human rights advocates. Protesters have lined highways in the Everglades to oppose the detention center’s construction, citing concerns about damage to the delicate ecosystem. Environmental groups have filed lawsuits to halt the project, arguing that proper environmental reviews were bypassed when DeSantis used executive orders to expedite construction. The Miccosukee tribal leadership has specifically requested that the state relocate the facility away from their traditional homelands.
“The Everglades is a vast, interconnected system of waterways and wetlands, and what happens in one area can have damaging impacts downstream,” said Eve Samples, executive director of Friends of the Everglades.
Critics have raised concerns about the potential impacts on tourism, wildlife, and water quality in the Everglades. The construction was pushed forward under emergency measures, with Florida Division of Emergency Management director Kevin Guthrie stating, “Time is of the essence.” This has further fueled controversy about the project’s rapid implementation without standard environmental reviews.
Political Dimensions
The “Alligator Alcatraz” facility has become a symbol of Florida’s approach to immigration enforcement under Republican leadership. The project is partially funded by FEMA’s Shelter and Services Program, though the state has moved quickly to implement the detention center through executive actions that bypass certain purchasing laws and regulatory reviews. Former President Donald Trump visited the facility recently, using the opportunity to criticize the Biden administration’s border policies.
Several Florida lawmakers have reportedly been denied entry to inspect the facility, raising questions about transparency and oversight. This has added to the controversy surrounding the detention center, with opponents calling for greater public scrutiny of the conditions inside and the processes being used to identify and transfer detainees to the remote location. Supporters maintain that the facility represents Florida’s commitment to law and order in the face of federal immigration policies they consider inadequate.