The mayor of Miami-Dade, Daniella Levine Cava, recently questioned the government's immigration policy and demanded that the State of Florida allow the county to oversee the immigrant detention center nicknamed Alligator Alcatraz, built on county land in the Everglades.
“Regardless of the fact that the State has taken control of the site through emergency powers, it is the taxpayers of Miami-Dade who own that property”, he stated.
In a video posted on the social network X, the mayor expressed her concern about the lack of transparency, the conditions reported by the detainees, and the environmental implications of the project. She urged for access to the site and real-time remote monitoring to be permitted.
Levine Cava formalized her complaint through two letters sent to high-ranking officials.
In a letter addressed to the state attorney, James Uthmeier, he requested "monitoring access to the state facility known as 'Alligator Alcatraz'," as well as the right to send county teams to assess the conditions of the center and its environmental impact.
“Given the environmental importance of the Everglades and the growing concerns about the unsafe conditions in these facilities, transparency is essential with our community,” she emphasized.
It also demanded weekly reports on the situation in the detention center.
In another letter addressed to the Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, she requested a detailed report on the deaths under ICE custody in Florida during this year.
Criticism of federal immigration policy
During her public statement, the Democratic mayor openly criticized the approach of U.S. immigration authorities, accusing them of prioritizing fear over justice.
“Our community is home to a large number of people from various countries around the world, many of whom fled violence and oppression in search of the American Dream. They are our neighbors, colleagues, and friends. However, right now, federal immigration agencies, through their actions, prioritize fear and coercion over compassion and justice,” he stated.
Additionally, she criticized the elimination of immigration protections under the Trump administration.
“We should focus our efforts on securing our borders and deporting dangerous criminals, rather than removing protections for law-abiding individuals who contribute to our economy,” he asserted.
"It is not a crisis to be feared; it is an opportunity that must be managed with compassion," he said, in contrast to the narrative of a migration crisis promoted by the federal government and Governor Ron DeSantis.
Levine Cava concluded with a call for immigration policies to reflect the democratic values of the country.
“The nation we are was founded on the promise of freedom and equality; we should ensure that our policies reflect those ideals,” he concluded.
Alligator Alcatraz: A Prison in the Everglades
The center was inaugurated on July 2, after just over a week of construction on an abandoned airstrip within the Big Cypress National Preserve, 40 miles west of Miami.
Its design features a pop-up camp with climate-controlled tents that can accommodate up to 3,000 people under the supervision of 400 guards and 200 cameras.
The project has an estimated annual cost of 450 million dollars.
Although access to the press has been restricted and there are no official figures, testimony indicates that at least 400 people have already been moved to the facility.
A delegation of Democratic state legislators attempted to visit the site, but they were denied entry citing security reasons.
Social and legal pressure: “This land was expropriated”
The Florida Immigrant Coalition has put up signs in Miami-Dade asking the mayor to have the county file its own lawsuit against the center.
"The entity best positioned to file a lawsuit and protect the county's interests is the county itself, because they were the owners of this land and this land was expropriated," said Thomas Kennedy, spokesperson for the group.
Simultaneously, the organization Friends of the Everglades filed a federal lawsuit denouncing the expropriation of the land and warning about damage to the ecosystem.
However, county officials are facing potential legal repercussions: the deputy attorney, Christopher Wahl, warned in court documents that elected officials could be suspended by the governor if it is deemed that they are obstructing the enforcement of state law.
The conflict between Levine Cava and Ron DeSantis is not just institutional. It also reveals potential political confrontations in the future, as the mayor is seen as a Democratic figure with the potential to run for state or federal positions, as local press recalls.
For now, the battle for access and oversight of the Alligator Alcatraz center is the latest episode in a clash of visions regarding immigration, justice, and governance in Florida.
Frequently Asked Questions about the "Alligator Alcatraz" Detention Center
What is the "Alligator Alcatraz" detention center and where is it located?
"Alligator Alcatraz" is an immigrant detention center located in the Florida Everglades. It was built on an abandoned airstrip at the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport and can hold up to 5,000 immigrants. Its isolated location, surrounded by wildlife such as alligators and pythons, has drawn criticism for its environmental impact and the conditions of detention.
What are the main criticisms of "Alligator Alcatraz"?
The center has been criticized for several reasons, including the lack of transparency, inhumane conditions reported by the detainees, and potential harm to the Everglades ecosystem. It has also been described by some as a "concentration camp" due to its punitive approach towards immigrants. The criticisms focus on the use of a hostile natural environment as a security barrier and the rapid construction of the center without proper environmental review.
What has been the stance of the Miami-Dade mayor regarding the center?
Mayor Daniella Levine Cava has strongly criticized the center, questioning its environmental impact and the lack of transparency in its operation. She has demanded that the state of Florida allow Miami-Dade County to oversee the conditions of the center and has requested access to monitor the site in real time. She has also expressed her concern over the removal of immigration protections and the use of policies that prioritize fear over justice.
What implications does "Alligator Alcatraz" have for immigration policy in Florida?
"Alligator Alcatraz" represents a hardening of immigration policy in Florida. This detention center reflects the state's alignment with the hardline immigration policies promoted by the Trump administration and Governor Ron DeSantis. Its rapid construction and the use of emergency powers to seize the land have generated controversy, and it is seen as an example of Florida's strategy to increase deportations and deter undocumented immigration.
What legal actions and protests have been carried out against "Alligator Alcatraz"?
Various civil, environmental, and tribal organizations have filed legal actions to stop the project, claiming the absence of proper environmental review and the risks to human rights. Additionally, protests have been organized by groups such as Friends of the Everglades and the Center for Biological Diversity, who criticize the ecological and social impact of the facility. These actions reflect significant opposition to the installation and its operation.
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