Florida's Attorney General, James Uthmeier, has shaken public opinion with a proposal that is both ambitious and controversial: to build the largest immigrant detention center in the state in the very heart of the Everglades, which he has dubbed the “Alligator Alcatraz” (Alcatraz Alligator).
The facility would be located in the old and “practically abandoned” Collier Training Center, an airport infrastructure spanning 39 square miles with a runway of 10,500 feet in length.
A promotional video for the project was posted this Thursday on social media by the conservative outlet Florida's Voice.
"It presents an efficient and cost-effective opportunity to build a temporary detention center, as little investment is needed for the perimeter," Uthmeier stated.
One of the reasons that drives the choice is the natural environment of the area.
"People go out; there isn't much to expect besides crocodiles and pythons. There's nowhere to go, nor anywhere to hide.", claimed the Attorney General.
A three-in-one center: Detention, processing, and deportation
Uthmeier explained that the facility would operate as a "three-in-one center": it would house undocumented immigrants with criminal backgrounds, process their legal cases, and facilitate their direct deportation from the airport runway.
"If someone were to escape, there would be nowhere to run or hide; only the alligators and pythons would be waiting. That's why I like to call it 'Alcatraz of the Alligators'", the Attorney General insisted in an interview with Fox Business.
Furthermore, he assured that the project could be operational within just 30 to 60 days from the start of its construction.
The proposal includes up to 1,000 beds and would receive logistical support from the Florida National Guard, whose military lawyers would serve as immigration judges to expedite legal proceedings.
A project at the service of Trump's immigration agenda
The initiative is not isolated. It is part of a broader legal and political offensive promoted from Tallahassee, in line with the Trump administration.
“Florida has led the enforcement of immigration law, supporting the efforts of the Trump administration and ICE to detain and deport criminal foreigners”, Uthmeier asserted.
According to the prosecutor, this facility would be "the one-stop shop to carry out President Trump's mass deportation agenda," referring to the president's promise to execute the largest deportation operation in United States history.
In March, during a speech before Congress, Trump said: “We will protect our homeland and complete the largest deportation operation in the history of the United States.”
Uthmeier's proposal seems to serve as one of the logistical pillars of that goal.
State law and the Immigration Control Board
The project arises after Ron DeSantis tasked state officials with identifying locations for temporary detention centers.
The measure is supported by new anti-illegal immigration legislation passed earlier this year.
As part of the new institutional framework, Florida has created the State Immigration Control Council, composed of sheriffs and police chiefs, and overseen by a board made up of state cabinet members and lawmakers.
This organization strengthens coordination with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and promotes collaboration agreements with local authorities.
"This represents a great opportunity for the state to collaborate with the counties of Miami-Dade and Collier," he added.
Donald Trump and Alcatraz
At the beginning of May, Donald Trump ordered the reopening and expansion of the legendary federal prison of Alcatraz in California, to incarcerate the "most ruthless and violent criminals in the United States."
Alcatraz, located on an island in San Francisco Bay, was a federal prison from 1934 to 1963. Its closure was due to high maintenance costs. Keeping it open was nearly three times more expensive than other prisons in the U.S. penal system.
Reopening Alcatraz prison would not only be an administrative measure, but it would also carry a powerful symbolic weight that Donald Trump seems eager to exploit.
Alcatraz represents in the collective memory an era of harshness, extreme isolation, and exemplary punishment. Situated on a rocky island, its design and location conveyed the idea that no one could escape the power of the State.
The Floridian variant of Alcatraz seems to compete with that symbolism, but in its case, it refers to a wild, predatory fauna, relentless in the event of an escape attempt.
Voices for and against
Supporters of the Administration's hardline approach have expressed their support for the idea, and some are praising Florida for always being at the forefront.
For others, the project is simply atrocious.
Although Uthmeier has promoted his proposal for the "Alcatraz of Caimans" as "an economic opportunity" and "efficient," the ethical and humanitarian implications of a prison surrounded by wildlife as a deterrent mechanism have generated controversy.
The prosecutor has pressured local officials to ratify agreements with ICE.
In early June, he publicly warned the Broward County Sheriff, Gregory Tony for expressing doubts about cooperation on immigration matters.
At the same time, raids have intensified. A recent operation in Tallahassee gained national attention at the end of May, signaling an increase in pressure on migrant communities in Florida.
The proposal for the "Alcatraz of the crocodiles" has been presented by its promoters as a bold and pragmatic solution to the increase in illegal immigration.
Nevertheless, for critics and human rights advocates, it symbolizes a concerning escalation towards the criminalization and dehumanization of immigrants.
Transforming a hostile and jungle-like environment into a security tool raises profound ethical questions. The images of alligators and pythons acting as "natural guardians" evoke more of a dystopian film than a humanitarian justice system.
Still, Uthmeier remains firm. “Alligator Alcatraz: we are ready to start”, he concluded.
The future of the project is now in the hands of lawmakers and federal officials.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Detention Center Proposal in the Everglades
What is the "Alligator Alcatraz" proposed by the Attorney General of Florida?
The "Alligator Alcatraz" is a proposal from Florida's Attorney General, James Uthmeier, to build a large immigration detention center in the Everglades. This center would be located at the former Collier Training Center, an area of 39 square miles, and would be used for the detention, processing, and deportation of undocumented immigrants with criminal backgrounds. The location in the Everglades was chosen for its hostile natural environment, which Uthmeier considers a deterrent against escapes.
What is the objective of the detention center proposal in Florida?
The goal of the proposed detention center is to serve as a three-in-one facility to house, process, and deport undocumented immigrants with criminal records. Furthermore, the proposal is part of a broader strategy to strengthen the enforcement of immigration laws in line with the agenda of former President Donald Trump, which aims to carry out the largest deportation operation in the history of the United States.
What criticisms has the "Caiman Alcatraz" proposal received?
The proposal has been criticized for its ethical and humanitarian implications. Critics and human rights advocates view it as a step toward the criminalization and dehumanization of immigrants, using a hostile natural environment as a security tool. Images of alligators and pythons acting as "natural guardians" have been seen as more fitting for a dystopian movie than for a humanitarian justice system.
How does the proposal for the detention center relate to Florida's immigration policy?
The proposal is part of a new anti-illegal immigration legislation approved in Florida. This law establishes the State Immigration Control Council to coordinate with ICE and promote collaborative agreements with local authorities. Additionally, it reflects Governor Ron DeSantis's pressure on local officials to cooperate with federal authorities in the enforcement of immigration policies.
Filed under:
