ORLANDO, Fla. – President Trump is expected to visit the new immigration detention center located in the Florida Everglades on Tuesday, according to Governor Ron DeSantis.
What is ‘Alligator Alcatraz’?
What we know:
The controversial detention facility nicknamed “Alligator Alcatraz” is located at the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport. The facility is designed to house, process and deport undocumented immigrants.
According to the Florida government, the site will cost around $450 million a year to operate. However, that cost is expected to be reimbursed by FEMA.
President Trump to visit on opening day
What they’re saying:
During a press conference Monday in Wildwood, Florida, the governor was asked about the facility.
“When the president comes tomorrow, he’s going to be able to see,” DeSantis said. According to the governor, President Trump is “very excited” about the visit.
‘Alligator Alcatraz’ immigration detention facility
FOX 35’s Garrett Wymer takes a deep dive into “Alligator Alcatraz.” Florida is now using emergency powers to take over a remote, 30-square-mile site in the Everglades to build what some are calling “Alligator Alcatraz.” The state said the site will hold up to 5,000 immigration detainees and will operate under the current state of emergency. Construction is already underway.
DeSantis stated that he expects the detention center to be operational on Tuesday.
“They ain’t going anywhere once they’re there, unless you want them to go somewhere…because good luck getting to civilization. So the security is amazing — natural and otherwise,” DeSantis said.
Why is ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ controversial?
The other side:
A coalition of environmental groups filed a federal lawsuit on Friday, June 27, 2025, to stop construction of the migrant detention facility nicknamed “Alligator Alcatraz”. Critics say it threatens endangered species and violates environmental law by bypassing review and public input.
The court has not yet scheduled a hearing, and federal agencies have not issued public statements on whether environmental reviews will proceed.
The Source: This story was written based on information shared by the Associated Press and the Office of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
