Florida Plans Immigrant Detention Facility in Everglades

The Trump administration, along with Florida officials, is progressing with plans to establish detention facilities in remote regions within the Everglades, aiming to house undocumented immigrants awaiting deportation.

This facility, nicknamed “Alligator Alcatraz,” could potentially hold hundreds of detainees using softside units, thanks to a federally funded partnership overseen by the Florida Department of Emergency Management (FDEM). There are plans to add more holding units as early as next month.

The estimated annual cost for the facility is around $450 million, which will come from a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) program designed for housing asylum seekers during the Biden administration.

“Under President Trump’s direction, we are rapidly pursuing effective and innovative strategies to manage the significant deportation of criminally illegal aliens,” stated Director Kristi Noem. “With Florida’s cooperation, we’ll be expanding our facilities and bed capacity very soon.”

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has approved a plan allowing Florida to detain migrants apprehended within the state and manage their relocation through U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers.

Why Florida?

Governor Ron DeSantis’s administration has previously elaborated on the state’s efforts to partner with the federal government in enforcing immigration laws. Earlier this year, a detailed “Immigration Enforcement Operations Plan” emphasized state demands regarding reimbursements and more flexible handling of immigration issues.

The governor’s office asserted that Florida, under DeSantis’s leadership, would support the federal government’s enforcement of immigration laws. Additionally, they pointed out that the state’s geography and culture, along with major highways, have made it attractive for criminal organizations involved in smuggling.

A report from the Pew Research Center indicated that Florida’s unauthorized immigrant population grew by at least 400,000 between 2019 and 2022.

Florida’s proposal suggested that the scale of illegal immigration warrants a reassessment of the detention processes, prompting a call for the Trump administration to reconsider existing ICE detention standards.

Why This Location?

The Dade Carrier Training and Transition Airport, located about 36 miles south of Miami, is owned by Miami-Dade County. Despite being developed in the late 1960s as a major hub, environmental concerns left it under-utilized, with only a single runway remaining operational.

State officials argue that the facility could streamline the process for immigrants entering and exiting detention. In a video highlighting the site, Florida Attorney General James Usmier noted the remoteness as a significant advantage, suggesting that it could be operational shortly after construction begins and accommodate up to 1,000 detainees.

State Acquisitions

Initially, FDEM sought to purchase Dade Carrier Airport from Miami-Dade County, but after failing to reach an agreement with local leaders, the state opted to use the governor’s emergency authority for a takeover. Kevin Guthrie, the FDEM executive director, communicated to the county mayor that immediate use of the site was necessary for managing emergency operations.

“Time is critical,” Guthrie emphasized, highlighting the need for prompt actions to assist the federal government in immigration enforcement.

The director mentioned that the state intends to maintain control of the site as long as the governor’s emergency declaration regarding immigration remains effective, first issued in June 2023.

Concerns from Local Officials

Miami-Dade Mayor Daniela Levine Cava expressed concern over the state’s quick push for the project, suggesting it might be undertaken without fully understanding its implications. She called attention to the potential environmental risks the facility might pose to the Everglades.

“Florida has spent billions on Everglades restoration initiatives, and the state’s assurance that operations will be self-contained raises questions,” she stated, emphasizing the need for thorough consideration of the potential environmental impacts prior to moving forward.

Levine Cava also noted that the state originally proposed purchasing the property for $20 million, underlining the importance of ensuring taxpayer assets are managed effectively amid ongoing state budgetary constraints.