Former U.S. President Donald Trump is set to visit Florida today (July 1, 2025), where he will inaugurate the controversial migrant detention center dubbed ‘Alligator Alcatraz.’ The facility, still under construction in the swamps of Everglades National Park, is designed to hold up to 5,000 undocumented migrants. Surrounded by dangerous wildlife and a hostile environment, the site has been described as isolated and unforgiving.
White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt told reporters, ‘There’s only one road leading there and the only way out is a flight with no return. The location is remote, surrounded by dangerous fauna and an unforgiving environment.’ When asked why the detention center was built in such a harsh natural setting, she replied, ‘When you have murderers here illegally, rapists, and despicable criminals in a detention center… it serves as a deterrent for any escape attempt.’
The facility spans approximately 77,000 acres and is expected to cost around $450 million annually to operate. Attorney General James Uthmeier emphasized that the location provides an effective and not overly expensive opportunity to build a temporary detention center, noting that little investment is needed for perimeter security—only alligators and pythons.
Trump, since retaking the presidency, has made curbing illegal immigration a top priority. He continues to frame the issue as an ‘invasion’ of foreign criminals into the United States, pushing his agenda through sympathetic media outlets. The Alligator Alcatraz project underscores his commitment to carrying out mass deportations, which he promises will involve millions of undocumented immigrants.
However, the construction of this facility has sparked outrage among critics of Trump’s immigration policies. Recent protests have erupted over police raids targeting migrant communities. Environmental advocates have also raised alarms about the unacceptable risk posed to the Everglades’ unique ecosystem, home to more than 2,000 species of flora and fauna.