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The former Cuban-American congressman Joe García launched a harsh criticism against the newly opened immigration prison in the Everglades, nicknamed "Alligator Alcatraz," calling it a "concentration camp."
"This is authoritarianism hidden behind the law to practice racism," García stated in remarks made to Univisión 23.
The former Democratic lawmaker rejected the comparison of the facility to the famous Alcatraz prison: "The comparison is offensive. There were real criminals in Alcatraz; here, there are people who have become criminals precisely because of the president," he said.
And went further by denouncing that the facility is not aimed at punishing crimes, but rather at isolating individuals based on their ethnic origin and immigration status.
"There are no white, black, or Hispanic people who have committed crimes here. They concentrate people based on their racial status. It should not be called Alligator Alcatraz, but Alligator Auschwitz, because that is where we have concentrated a portion of our neighbors, friends, employees, and small business owners," he detailed.
García also questioned why this type of detention center is being built specifically in a region where the Hispanic population is predominant. "It’s worse because they are doing it in the capital of the Hispanic community in the United States," he emphasized.
A detention center in the heart of the Everglades
The facility was inaugurated this week by President Donald Trump during a visit to Florida, where he was welcomed by Governor Ron DeSantis at the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport, an abandoned airstrip now converted into a detention center.
Trump toured the facility alongside Homeland Security Secretary Kristy Noem and other officials. In his subsequent statements, he described the prison as an effective solution to the immigration problem.
"Very soon, these facilities will house some of the most dangerous migrants, some of the cruelest people on the planet," he stated.
The prison was built in just eight days, according to Florida state officials, and has the capacity to house 3,000 undocumented immigrants, although initial discussions mentioned up to 5,000 beds.
The name "Alligator Alcatraz" alludes to both the legendary federal prison in San Francisco and the characteristic wildlife of the Everglades, particularly alligators.
Trump has even mocked the migrants who will be sent to the center, stating that they were going to be taught how to escape from an alligator. "Don't run in a straight line, run like this...", he said, while mimicking a zigzag motion with his hand.
Conditions reported as "inhuman."
The first images released from inside the center show spaces that critics have described as "large cages" covered by tents.
The conditions of the environment—characterized by extreme heat, millions of mosquitoes, and wild animals—have raised concerns among environmentalists, human rights advocates, and indigenous communities.
Local groups have already filed lawsuits against the federal government, arguing that the required environmental impact studies were not conducted.
The land on which the center was built is located in a wetland reserve, an ecologically sensitive area within the Everglades, renowned for its biodiversity.
"Migratory Jurassic Park" and controversy on social media
During the inauguration, the conservative influencer Benny Johnson toured the prison and described it as a "migratory Jurassic Park," featuring nine-meter-high walls, barbed wire, armed surveillance, and extreme natural conditions.
"Thousands of mosquitoes invaded me. Millions of alligators. What a nightmare!" he said in one of his videos, while celebrating the speed of the construction.
"This federal prison with 3,000 beds was built in eight days. I've been told they could have finished it in 72 hours if it weren't for some regulatory delays."
Johnson also revealed that there are plans for the National Guard to act as deportation judges, which has raised alarms among legal experts and civil organizations.
Mixed reactions
While state and federal administrations defend the center as an "efficient" solution to the flow of migration, critical voices like that of Joe García see this facility as a symbol of modern authoritarianism.
The former congressman recalled that South Florida is a region built by immigrants and warned about the dangerous precedent of treating migrants as enemies of the state.
"When you talk about an immigrant, you’re talking about me, my family, us," he said days earlier at a protest in Miami. "Trump goes to court every day to take away your rights and those of everyone," he concluded.
Frequently Asked Questions about the "Alligator Alcatraz" Detention Center in Florida
Why does Joe García refer to "Alligator Alcatraz" as a concentration camp?
Joe García describes "Alligator Alcatraz" as a concentration camp because he believes it is not aimed at punishing crimes, but rather at isolating individuals based on their ethnic background and immigration status. He criticizes that the policies in place are authoritarian and racist, and emphasizes that the facility is located in an area with a Hispanic majority, which exacerbates the situation.
What is "Alligator Alcatraz" and where is it located?
"Alligator Alcatraz" is a detention center for immigrants located in the Florida Everglades. It was inaugurated by former President Donald Trump and designed to house undocumented immigrants. The conditions of the environment have been criticized for their harshness, as it is surrounded by wildlife such as alligators, which serves as a natural security barrier.
What have been the criticisms of "Alligator Alcatraz"?
Criticism of "Alligator Alcatraz" focuses on inhumane conditions and environmental impact. The facilities have been described as "large cages," and the lack of environmental impact assessments has been denounced. Additionally, human rights organizations have expressed concern over the criminalization and dehumanization of immigrants, while local leaders have criticized the lack of transparency and the speed of construction.
What is the capacity of "Alligator Alcatraz" and how was it built?
"Alligator Alcatraz" has a capacity to accommodate 3,000 immigrants, although it was initially said to have up to 5,000 beds. It was built in just eight days on an abandoned runway, a speed that has drawn criticism due to the lack of prior studies and the environmental impact on an ecologically sensitive wetland area.
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