The federal government has greenlit a plan to construct an immigration detention center in the Florida Everglades, according to statements from Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier. Dubbed "Alligator Alcatraz," the facility would utilize a largely abandoned airfield and is anticipated to be operational as soon as July with initial temporary setups like trailers and tents. Uthmeier, in conversation with YouTuber and political commentator Benny Johnson, expressed the center's surrounding dangerous wildlife would practically eliminate the need for a perimeter. "I’m proud to help support President Trump and Secretary Noem in their mission to fix our illegal immigration problem once and for all," Uthmeier posted on X.
I’m proud to help support President Trump and Secretary Noem in their mission to fix our illegal immigration problem once and for all. Alligator Alcatraz and other Florida facilities will do just that.
— Attorney General James Uthmeier (@AGJamesUthmeier) June 24, 2025
We in Florida will fight alongside this administration to keep Florida safe,… https://t.co/ptspuSvKMy
The planned detention center, which could house up to 1,000 immigrants who entered the country illegally, is part of a larger initiative to bolster deportation facilities across Florida, potentially providing around 5,000 beds across various sites. "We'll detain, deport and get people out of this country that don't belong here" Uthmeier told Johnson. Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security has emphasized its alignment with this project as part of a broader deportation strategy, "We are working on cost-effective and innovative ways to deliver on the American people’s mandate for mass deportations. Alligator Alcatraz will expand facilities and bed space in just days, thanks to our partnership with Florida," as noted by NBC Miami. However, Miami-Dade County officials, such as Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, have vocalized their concerns regarding environmental impacts and request more information before proceeding further, especially considering the site's proximity to the Everglades, as outlined in a statement released by Levine Cava's office.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has indicated that federal funds will be used in part to help build these detention centers. Noem specifically mentioned that FEMA's shelter and services program would financially support the Florida efforts. Florida's quick action to set up the detention centers aligns with President Trump's policy aimed at mass deportations. "Under President Trump's leadership, we are working at turbo speed on cost-effective and innovative ways to deliver on the American people's mandate for mass deportations of criminal illegal aliens," Noem provided in a statement to CBS News. Uthmeier echoed this commitment, saying Florida officials "will fight alongside this administration to keep Florida safe, strong, and free."
The significant investment in this initiative, which is estimated to cost the state approximately $450 million annually, could see some reimbursement from FEMA. Tricia McLaughlin, a spokeswoman for the Department of Homeland Security, confirmed this in a statement obtained by NBC Miami. Meanwhile, negotiations over the land purchase are underway, with the Florida Division of Emergency Management proposing $20 million for a tract valued at nearly ten times that amount. Miami-Dade's request for a thorough environmental analysis and a financial reassessment highlights the tension between the push for rapid expansion of detention capacities and local concerns directly tied to the proposed site's environmental and economic value.
