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In its effort to show a tough stance against migration, the government of Donald Trump decided to confine undocumented immigrants to one of the most feared and violent prisons in the United States.
According to a report by the Associated Press (AP), a facility within the Louisiana State Penitentiary, known as Angola, has been set up to house more than 400 ICE detainees.
The place is already home to 51 people and was deliberately chosen for its reputation as a tough prison, as confirmed by Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem.
Governor Jeff Landry assured that the facility, renamed "Louisiana Lockup," will fill up in the coming months as Trump promotes a mass deportation plan.
Angola is a maximum-security prison with over 6,000 inmates, including more than 50 sentenced to death.
Its history dates back to a 19th-century slave plantation and decades of brutality, riots, and executions that made it famous as "the bloodiest prison in America."
The Trump administration seeks to convey a message of intimidation. “This facility will host the worst of the worst,” Noem stated, emphasizing that the choice was “absolutely due to the reputation” of the prison.
AP reported that federal authorities admitted that the selection of this prison was not coincidental: it is a deliberate strategy to persuade undocumented immigrants in the U.S. to choose self-deportation, when facing the possibility of being sent to such a feared location.
The plan is part of the expansion of immigration detention infrastructure, with projects such as the “Speedway Slammer” in Indiana and the “Cornhusker Clink” in Nebraska.
According to AP, the goal is to reach over 100,000 detainees under a budget of 45 billion dollars.
Critics warn that using Angola as a migration hub reinforces the criminalization of undocumented migrants and normalizes the use of prisons with a history of abuse for individuals whose only "crime" is lacking proper documentation.
Frequently asked questions about the detention of immigrants in U.S. prisons.
Why has the Trump administration decided to transfer immigrants to the Angola prison in Louisiana?
The Trump administration has decided to transfer undocumented immigrants to Angola prison due to its reputation as a tough and feared jail. The move aims to send a message of deterrence and intimidation to immigrants, demonstrating a hardline stance against irregular migration. Angola is known for being a maximum-security prison with a history of brutality, which reinforces the criminalization of undocumented individuals.
What is the “Alligator Alcatraz” and why has it generated so much controversy?
The “Alligator Alcatraz” is a detention center for immigrants located in the Everglades of Florida, so named for its hostile environment and resemblance to the famous Alcatraz prison. It has generated controversy due to the inhumane conditions reported by human rights organizations, the lack of environmental impact studies, and its location in an ecologically sensitive area. Furthermore, it has been criticized for being a symbol of the tightening of immigration policies under the Trump administration.
What is the impact of immigration detention policy on the Everglades ecosystem?
The immigration detention policy in the Everglades has raised concerns about damage to the local ecosystem. The construction of "Alligator Alcatraz" in a wetland area, habitat for vulnerable species such as alligators and Florida panthers, has been the subject of legal challenges for failing to conduct an adequate environmental assessment. The potential impact on this natural environment has been a central point of criticism from environmentalists.
What measures has the Trump administration taken to expand the immigration detention infrastructure?
The Trump administration has announced plans to construct five new mega detention centers for immigrants based on the "Alligator Alcatraz" model. These facilities are designed to increase detention capacity and expedite mass deportations. The strategy includes collaboration with Republican-led states and the use of funds from the FEMA Shelters and Services Program, which has drawn criticism for utilizing resources intended for emergencies.
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