On July 3, 2025, Florida’s controversial immigration detention facility, dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz,” officially began operations in the Everglades region. Located at the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport in Ochopee, this high-security facility is designed to accommodate up to 5,000 detainees and assist federal agencies under the 287(g) program. This program, which authorizes local law enforcement to collaborate with federal immigration officials, has been part of Florida’s broader strategy to tighten immigration enforcement measures.
The rapid construction of the facility, which took only eight days to complete, has been met with widespread opposition. Environmental groups have raised alarm about the potential ecological impact on the Everglades ecosystem, one of the largest and most biodiverse wetland regions in the United States. The region is home to various endangered species, including the Florida panther, and concerns about disrupting this fragile environment are at the forefront of these debates.
In addition to environmental worries, Native American tribes with historical ties to the land have voiced concerns over the infringement on sacred lands. The facility’s location within a protected natural reserve has sparked protests from tribal representatives and environmental advocates, who argue that it represents an unsustainable model of development that could cause irreversible damage to the area’s delicate ecosystem.
Despite the mounting opposition, Florida officials defend the project as a necessary response to the growing national debate over immigration reform. Governor Ron DeSantis has consistently stated that the state’s role in federal immigration enforcement efforts is vital to national security and the safety of local communities. The detention center is expected to hold individuals awaiting deportation proceedings and could serve as a model for future detention centers in the state.
Governor DeSantis has already indicated that a second facility will be developed at Camp Blanding, a Florida National Guard training center. This plan is part of the state’s broader initiative to expand its capacity for handling immigration enforcement at a local level, sparking further controversy among advocates who argue that resources could be better spent on supporting humanitarian aid and reforming existing federal immigration processes.
Supporters of the facility emphasize the operational advantages, citing the project’s quick development and strategic placement. Proponents argue that it will ease overcrowding in existing detention centers and help streamline the immigration process, which has become increasingly backlogged due to rising numbers of immigration cases across the country.
In response to the growing debate, activists have called for more transparency in the decision-making process, particularly concerning environmental assessments, funding sources, and the long-term impact of the facility’s operations. Additionally, questions have been raised about the treatment of detainees within such facilities, with some fearing that overcrowding and inadequate conditions could lead to human rights abuses.
The opening of “Alligator Alcatraz” signifies a shift in Florida’s approach to immigration policy, as the state plays an increasingly prominent role in the national conversation about border security and immigration enforcement. Whether this facility becomes a permanent fixture of the state’s immigration strategy or faces challenges from public opinion and environmental advocates remains to be seen.