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FLORIDA - A controversial new immigration detention facility deep in the Florida Everglades is set to begin receiving migrants on Wednesday, following a high-profile tour by former President Donald Trump.
Dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz” for its remote location surrounded by swampland and wildlife, the compound sits roughly 50 miles west of Miami on an old airstrip.
According to reports, the site was constructed in just eight days and is designed to hold up to 3,000 detainees.
Florida officials originally said the facility would house 5,000, but Governor Ron DeSantis confirmed a smaller capacity during Trump’s visit on Tuesday.
The facility features extensive security including over 200 surveillance cameras, more than 28,000 feet of barbed wire, and 400 guards.
Trump praised the location as an ideal deterrent, pointing to its isolation and the presence of alligators as proof that escaping would be “nearly impossible.”
Protesters gathered outside during the tour, calling the site inhumane and expressing concerns over its impact on Native American lands and endangered species habitats.
Environmentalists told news outlets that the project threatens delicate ecosystems.
Trump dismissed those concerns, saying no major disruption was caused due to the preexisting airstrip.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated the facility will cost around $450 million a year, with partial funding from FEMA’s Shelter and Services Program.
As ICE reports record highs of over 56,000 detainees in custody, the Florida site is poised to become a symbol of Trump’s push for mass deportations.