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FLORIDA - President Donald Trump is expected to make an appearance at the unveiling of a controversial new immigration detention center located deep within the Florida Everglades.
The site, informally dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz” by Florida officials, is set to begin operations this week and has already sparked national debate.
Governor Ron DeSantis confirmed Trump’s involvement during a news conference in Wildwood.
He described the facility as self-contained and prepared for hurricane scenarios, with wastewater hauled offsite and no permanent plumbing to minimize environmental disruption.
According to multiple reports, the center is being built on a remote airstrip roughly 45 miles west of Miami and could hold up to 5,000 detainees.
The location, surrounded by alligators, snakes, and dense swamp, has drawn criticism from environmental groups and Native American leaders.
Opponents argue the project threatens fragile ecosystems and violates sacred land.
Lawsuits filed late last week by environmental advocates seek to block the facility’s opening, claiming it lacks proper environmental review.
State Attorney General James Uthmeier called the area escape-proof due to its natural surroundings, a point emphasized by promotional materials released by federal officials.
The Department of Homeland Security and Florida leaders have embraced the facility’s wild nickname as a symbol of strict immigration enforcement.
Despite controversy, construction has been fast-tracked with major funding covered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
A second site is also under consideration near Jacksonville, signaling Florida’s growing role in immigration operations under the Trump-era policy revival.