Trump to attend opening of “Alligator Alcatraz” and witness arrival of first detainees

On Tuesday, President Donald Trump will visit the Everglades of Florida to attend the official opening of a new immigration detention center, known as "Alligator Alcatraz," Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced.

The center, located at the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport in Miami-Dade County, is designed to shelter up to 5,000 undocumented immigrants as part of the Trump Administration's mass deportation campaign.

DeSantis, who authorized its construction under an emergency order, stressed its strategic location: “If someone escapes, you know, there are a lot of alligators you're going to have to contend with. No one's going anywhere once you do that.”

The name "Alligator Alcatraz" comes from its remote setting, surrounded by dangerous wildlife, including alligators and pythons, with only one access road.

For her part, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed Trump's trip on Monday, noting that the center is "an efficient and low-cost way to help carry out the largest mass deportation campaign in American history."

In addition, Leavitt detailed that the president will be accompanied by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem, Governor DeSantis, Congressman Byron Donald, and other state and local leaders.

Reactions and controversy

The construction of the center has generated strong criticism from environmentalists and Democrats. Last Saturday, protesters lined up along Highway 41, which runs through the Everglades, with signs denouncing the project as “another stupid plan to abuse people & the Everglades” and demanding the removal of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from Florida.

In addition, on Friday, two environmental groups filed a lawsuit against several federal and state agencies, including DHS and the Florida Division of Emergency Management, arguing that the center threatens the Everglades ecosystem, according to reported the Associated Press.

Support and purpose of the center

Gov. DeSantis defended the project during a tour of the facility on Friday, asserting on Fox & Friends that "The state of Florida is all in on President Trump’s mission" to increase detention, processing, and deportation capacity.

Noem, for his part, endorsed the facility as ideal for "some of the worst offenders" who entered illegally during the Biden Administration.

In a post on X on Friday, Noem stated, “Alligator Alcatraz, and other facilities like it, will give us the capability to lock up some of the worst scumbags who entered our country under the previous administration. I will continue to stand alongside our officers as they protect and defend our homeland.”

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