President Trump, Gov. DeSantis Inspect Florida Everglades Detention Center Nicknamed ‘Alligator Alcatraz’

Remote facility located at the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport

OCHOPEE, FLORIDA — President Donald Trump toured a newly built immigration detention center deep in the Florida Everglades on Tuesday, accompanied by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

The remote facility, located at the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport, has been informally dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz” due to its isolated location and surrounding wildlife.

“This is a top-notch operation,” Trump said as he observed rows of bunk beds inside a barbed-wire-enclosed compound. He quipped, “If anyone escapes, we’ll give them a crash course in dodging alligators.”

Constructed in just over a week, the center is designed to detain individuals accused of illegally entering the country.

Officials say it will eventually house thousands of detainees and boasts extensive security features, including over 200 cameras, nearly 30,000 feet of barbed wire, and a 400-person security staff. The facility also features round-the-clock air conditioning.

Governor DeSantis praised the project as a practical step toward streamlining deportation efforts, noting the first group of detainees is expected to arrive on Wednesday. “If someone’s thinking about staying in the U.S. illegally, this might change their mind,” DeSantis said, referencing the site’s intimidating nickname.

Homeland Security Secretary Noem reinforced that message during a broadcast roundtable discussion, warning, “If you don’t choose to leave voluntarily, this is where you could end up — and you may not get another chance.”

Situated roughly 50 miles west of Miami in the Big Cypress Swamp, the facility is encircled by treacherous wetlands teeming with wildlife, including snakes and alligators. Officials have promoted the setting as a natural deterrent and added layer of security.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described the location as virtually escape-proof. “There’s only one road in — and the only way out is on a plane,” she said on Monday.

Despite the administration’s enthusiasm, the site has triggered widespread criticism. Demonstrators gathered outside during Tuesday’s visit, calling the detention center excessive and cruel. “These are human beings,” said Phyllis Andrews, a retired schoolteacher from Naples. “They don’t belong in a place like this.”

Environmental groups have also raised red flags. The center sits on the same land once proposed for a massive airport project in the 1960s, which was ultimately canceled due to environmental concerns. Last week, several organizations filed a federal lawsuit demanding a full environmental review before the facility becomes operational.

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