Florida's 'Alligator Alcatraz': A Controversial Immigration Detention Plan

Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport, Miami-Dade County, Florida, USA - As discussions heat up around immigration policy in Florida, a new proposal from Attorney General James Uthmeier is making waves across the state. Uthmeier has set his sights on developing a massive immigrant detention center at the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport in Miami-Dade County, dubbing it „Alligator Alcatraz“ due to its remote location in the Everglades, devoid of escape routes. This facility aims to serve not only as a place for detaining migrants but also for processing legal cases and conducting deportations, promising to accommodate up to 1,000 individuals.

The site has long served military and law enforcement purposes, including an airstrip designated for deportation flights. Uthmeier posits that this new facility could help alleviate the burden on county jails amidst a broader crackdown on illegal immigration. „It would alleviate pressure on county jails amid a crackdown on illegal immigration,“ he stated, underscoring the urgency he sees in bolstering Florida’s immigration enforcement.

Concerns Over Detention Conditions

While the proposal is still in the early stages and evaluative discussions are expected, the idea of expanding Florida’s immigrant detention capacity comes at a critical time. Recently, conditions within existing facilities, such as the Krome Detention Center, have drawn alarm from advocacy groups and families of detainees. Reports have emerged detailing severe overcrowding, inadequate food, and unsanitary living conditions, which have left many detainees underfed and suffering from health issues.

Maria, whose brother is currently detained at Krome, shared her distressing account with NPR, recounting how her brother is suffering from a fever and untreated eye infection amid claims of a lack of medical care. This criticism comes on the heels of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’s „Operation Tidal Wave,“ which has seen over 1,100 arrests in just one week. Advocates fear that expanding facilities might lead to more of the same troubling conditions already reported across Florida’s immigration detention system.

From Krome, there have been disturbing reports about conditions such as moldy food and insufficient supplies of basic necessities. Detainees have described their circumstances dishearteningly, translating their grievances into terms like “starving,” a word that has emerged time and again in conversations about detention conditions. In fact, over 48,000 individuals are currently held in immigration detention, and this number has surged by 20% since January 2025.

Fears of Constant Expansion

With ongoing advocacy from groups like the ACLU of Florida, which shines a light on the harsh realities faced by detainees, the possible establishment of „Alligator Alcatraz“ raises alarming concerns about the already overwhelming system. The local immigrant detention program is among the largest globally, pooling various state and private jails. Detainees report perilous and unsanitary conditions regularly, backed by a study from Northeastern University that centers on the lived experiences and complaints from those inside.

As many families reckon with the daunting prospect of loved ones held within such facilities, the notion of expanding detention capabilities feels rather ominous. Community voices are growing louder, demanding humane treatment and transparency, especially in light of previous investigations into facilities for allegations of abuse and neglect.

As Florida stands at a crossroads in immigration policy, the implications of setting up this new facility must be thoroughly considered, not just in terms of logistics, but also the humane treatment and rights of those in the system. It’s crucial for Floridians to engage in these discussions, weighing the costs and consequences behind Uthmeier’s bold moves.