Florida officials have begun construction on a new immigration detention center deep in the Everglades at the remote Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport. The 39-square-mile site features an abandoned 10,500-foot runway surrounded by swampland inhabited by alligators and pythons, earning the facility the nickname “Alligator Alcatraz.”
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier proposed the location as part of the state’s support for President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement efforts. He said the natural surroundings offer a secure perimeter that limits escape attempts while reducing construction costs.
How is the project being funded?
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the Federal Emergency Management Agency will cover most of the facility’s cost through its shelter and services program, which Congress originally created to help communities receiving migrants.
A senior Homeland Security official told the Miami Herald that the facility will cost about $450 million annually to operate, with Florida covering initial construction costs and seeking federal reimbursement.
Why is additional detention space needed?
The Trump administration’s expanded deportation campaign has pushed existing detention facilities beyond capacity. ICE is currently holding roughly 53,000 migrants, exceeding prior congressional funding levels.
Uthmeier said Florida’s jails are filling rapidly due to increased immigration arrests, making additional detention space critical.
What concerns have been raised?
The project has drawn sharp criticism from immigrant rights advocates, environmental groups and local officials. Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, D, called for a comprehensive environmental review, warning of potential damage to the Everglades ecosystem. Despite those objections, Uthmeier said work began Monday, June 23, and estimated that Alligator Alcatraz could house up to 1,000 detainees within 60 days.
