In a remote stretch of the Everglades, about 50 miles west of Miami, a new immigration detention center dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz” has begun operating deportation flights, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced on July 25, 2025. The facility, built in just eight days on a 10-square-mile plot of swampland, is part of a bold and controversial effort to support President Donald Trump’s aggressive crackdown on illegal immigration.
A Deterrent in the Swamps
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has already flown approximately 100 detainees out of the facility to various countries, with two or three flights departing in recent days. While officials have not disclosed the destinations of these flights, DeSantis expects the number of deportations to “go up dramatically” in the near future. The center, located at the site of the former Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport in Ochopee, Florida, was strategically chosen for its isolation and its adjacent runway, which allows for quick and efficient detainee transfers.
The facility’s name, inspired by the infamous Alcatraz prison, and its location in an area teeming with pythons and alligators, are no accident. DeSantis and other Republican officials have openly stated that the harsh environment and fortified setup—complete with over 200 security cameras, 5 miles of barbed wire, and 400 security personnel—are meant to deter illegal immigration. “The whole purpose is to make this a place that can facilitate increased frequency and numbers of deportations,” DeSantis said during a news conference near the site.
Currently, the facility holds about 2,000 detainees, with the capacity to double to 4,000, according to Florida Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie. DeSantis has also called for an immigration judge to be stationed on-site to expedite the deportation process, emphasizing that the center is not meant for long-term detention but for swift removals.
A Firestorm of Criticism
The rapid construction and operation of “Alligator Alcatraz” have sparked intense debate. Critics, including environmental groups and human rights advocates, have condemned the facility as cruel and inhumane. They argue that its remote location and harsh conditions violate basic standards of dignity and safety. Environmental groups have also filed lawsuits to halt further construction, citing concerns about the ecological impact on the fragile Everglades ecosystem. On July 24, 2025, these groups demanded access to agreements between state and federal officials and the right to visit the site to assess its operations.
Supporters, including DeSantis and Trump, defend the facility as a necessary response to illegal immigration. The White House has highlighted the deterrent effect of the center’s remoteness, suggesting it sends a clear message: breaking U.S. immigration laws will have severe consequences. Trump has even floated the idea of reopening the original Alcatraz prison in San Francisco Bay for similar purposes, while some immigrants awaiting deportation have been sent to facilities in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, and a megaprison in El Salvador.
A National Effort
“Alligator Alcatraz” is part of a broader network of deportation hubs operated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), with major centers in Harlingen, Texas; Alexandria, Louisiana; and Mesa, Arizona. According to Witness at the Border, an advocacy group that tracks deportation flights, ICE conducted over 200 flights in June 2025 alone—the highest monthly total since the group began monitoring in January 2020.
The facility’s construction was authorized by DeSantis under an emergency order, transforming the abandoned airport into a high-security detention center with sturdy tent structures. The site’s ability to handle commercial-sized aircraft for both day and night operations makes it a key asset in the federal government’s deportation strategy.
What’s Next?
As “Alligator Alcatraz” ramps up operations, its role in the national immigration debate is likely to grow. For supporters, it represents a tough but necessary stance on border security. For critics, it symbolizes a troubling escalation in the treatment of migrants, raising questions about human rights and environmental stewardship. As deportation flights increase, the world will be watching to see how this controversial experiment in the Everglades unfolds.