Florida's 'Alligator Alcatraz': Controversial Immigrant Detention Center Proposed

Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States - On June 18, 2025, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier proposed the creation of a new immigration detention center dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz” in the Everglades. This facility, planned for Miami-Dade County, aims to accommodate suspected undocumented immigrants while facilitating their immigration processes and deportations, thanks to the presence of an airstrip.

Should it receive the necessary approvals from local, state, and federal agencies, it could become the largest immigration detention center in Florida, potentially operational within 60 days. Uthmeier’s proposal aligns with a broader agenda spearheaded by the Trump administration, which seeks to ramp up arrests of undocumented immigrants to an ambitious target of at least 3,000 arrests daily. This initiative is part of Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign promises, which highlight a significant crackdown on undocumented individuals.

A Troubling Context

The announcement comes against a backdrop of mounting concerns over the conditions within existing immigration detention facilities in Florida. A recent vigil held at Krome Detention Center in Miami, for instance, highlighted these growing anxieties. Family members of detainees shared harrowing accounts of illness due to inadequate medical care and nutrition. One such story from a woman named Maria described her brother suffering from both a fever and an untreated eye infection – a stark reminder of the dire circumstances many face while in ICE custody.

Conditions have been described as overcrowded and inhumane, with alarming reports detailing that detainees are frequently underfed and living in unhealthful environments. A staggering estimate indicates that Florida’s Krome facility accommodates around 48,000 individuals currently detained, a 20% increase since January 2025. Experts warn that ICE is operating at 125% capacity, unable to keep pace with the number of deportations.

In recent years, instances of neglect and abuse have made headlines, as has the tragic occurrence of nine deaths occurring in ICE detention since January 2023, three of which were reported in Florida. Adding to the grim statistics is the plan by the Trump administration, which allocates a proposed budget of $75 billion for ICE, earmarking funds for building more detention locations and enhancing detention operations.

Inhumane Living Conditions

The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida reveals through an extensive report that both jails and private facilities are utilized in the U.S.’s extensive immigrant detention program. Their findings shed light on the harsh reality faced by many detainees over the past six years, emphasizing a range of serious issues. Common grievances include the unavailability of basic necessities like soap, toilet paper, and sanitary products. Many facilities have been marked by unsanitary conditions, featuring moldy walls and bugs in drains. Food quality is another point of contention, with some reporting that meals are consistently moldy or rotten.

The report follows whistleblower accounts of fraud and record manipulations at Baker County Detention Center, emphasizing that these alarming conditions are not isolated incidents but part of a troubling pattern of abuse and neglect within the system. As advocates raise concerns about the impending expansion of mass detention and surveillance operations, individuals like Vivian Ortega are left worrying about their detained loved ones. Her son, Jhonkleiver, has reported inadequate food and care, heightening fears for families caught in this predicament.

As discussions intensify around the proposed Alligator Alcatraz facility, one cannot overlook the existing struggles of those already detained in Florida’s immigration centers. Comprehensive reforms are not just a matter of urgency but are essential to address the dire conditions found within these facilities.

To read more about the proposed detention center, check out WLRN. For insights on the conditions in immigration detention, visit NPR and the ACLU report.