President Donald Trump will attend the opening of the new "Alligator Alcatraz" migrant detention facility in the Florida Everglades on Tuesday.
The facility, which is still under construction, sits on the site of an abandoned airport. It's expected to house up to 5,000 detainees.
Meanwhile, a recent social media post by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has sparked controversy after the agency shared an AI-generated image depicting alligators wearing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) hats outside a facility that resembles a prison surrounded by barbed wire.
Coming soon! pic.twitter.com/v3DCJsrDwV
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) June 28, 2025
Supporters of the detention center argue that its location — marshland inhabited by alligators, pythons, and other dangerous wildlife — will deter escape attempts.
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The project, estimated to cost hundreds of millions of dollars in federally reimbursable funds, was proposed just over a week ago by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier. In a comment that drew criticism, Uthmeier said in his online video, “You don't need to invest that much in the perimeter. People get out, there's not much waiting for them, other than alligators and pythons. Nowhere to go, nowhere to hide.”
The Florida GOP has also capitalized on the media attention, launching a line of branded merchandise, including shirts, koozies, and hats that promote the "Alligator Alcatraz" name. But the backlash has been swift and fierce.
“I think it's inhumane, it's disgusting, and it's not what we stand for as a state,” said State Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith, an Orlando-area Democrat.
Last week, Florida Senate Democrats sent a letter to DeSantis and Uthmeier demanding answers on due process, humane treatment, and whether the project could divert funds from hurricane preparedness.
“There is a serious discussion of whether or not this would constitute cruel and unusual punishment,” said Florida Senate Democratic Leader Lori Berman.
Environmental groups are also pushing back hard. A coalition of activists filed a federal lawsuit to block the facility, citing potential harm to the Everglades and a lack of required environmental reviews or public input.
