When the U.S. government opened a new migrant detention center deep in the Florida Everglades, it was bound to stir up controversy.
Nicknamed “Alligator Alcatraz,” the high-security compound sits in a remote swamp, surrounded by alligators, snakes, and even panthers.
But while some officials are praising its efficiency and security, others are calling it inhumane—and the political fight is escalating quickly.
A Grand Opening with Trump and DeSantis
The facility officially opened on July 1, and within days it began taking in undocumented immigrants.
On opening day, former President Donald Trump toured the grounds alongside Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Homeland Security chief Kristi Noem.
Trump appeared thrilled, even boasting, “It might be as good as the real Alcatraz.”
Designed to hold up to 3,000 detainees and staffed by more than 1,000 people, the $450 million-a-year facility is unlike any other in the U.S.
There’s even an 11,000-foot airstrip next to the complex, allowing quick deportations.
“You literally drive them 2,000 feet, put them on a plane, and then they’re gone,” DeSantis said.
Democrats Cry Foul After Touring the Grounds
Two weeks after the center opened, a group of Democratic lawmakers got a chance to tour the site—and they weren’t impressed.
Florida Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz was particularly outspoken, calling the facility “vile” and “disturbing.”
“This place is a stunt,” she said, demanding it be “shut the hell down.”
She and others compared the conditions to internment camps, citing reports of overcrowded cages, overflowing toilets, and detainees living in lockdown surrounded by mosquitoes and wild animals.
Florida Official Pushes Back on the Criticism
But according to Kevin Guthrie of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, those complaints are exaggerated—or even fabricated.
Speaking on Fox News with Jesse Watters, Guthrie mocked claims that the facility was unbearably hot, saying one Democrat pointed a thermometer at a lightbulb to get a reading of 110°C.
“That’s not the air temperature,” Guthrie scoffed.
“I told her to point it at the wall to get an accurate reading.”
He also addressed claims about the food, laughing off descriptions of “gray turkey sandwiches.”
“She was six feet away from the sandwich. How could she tell what color it was?” Guthrie asked.
“The same sandwiches are served in hospitals and schools.
If they’re so awful, why were people asking for seconds?”
Plumbing, Tents, and Toilets—What’s Really Going On?
Another big point of criticism was the toilet situation.
Democrats said 30 migrants were packed into a cell with just three sink-toilet combos.
Guthrie defended the setup, saying, “These are standard facilities used across the country.
We meet or exceed national and state standards.”
As for the tents where detainees sleep, he said they are air-conditioned and similar to those used in emergency housing situations.
However, temperatures in medical intake tents reportedly hovered in the mid-80s, adding to concerns.
Surrounded by Swamp Life and Constant Surveillance
The nickname “Alligator Alcatraz” isn’t just for show.
The center is encircled by miles of swamp land filled with alligators, invasive pythons, and even a family of panthers.
Just before Trump’s visit, one alligator was seen swimming near the perimeter.
But it’s not just the wildlife that adds to the facility’s isolation.
With hundreds of surveillance cameras and help from 100 Florida National Guard troops, it’s built for maximum containment and minimal escape.
New Deportation Policy Brings Even More Heat
The opening of Alligator Alcatraz comes as the Trump administration enforces a new hardline deportation policy.
Under a recent order, migrants can now be deported to third countries with as little as six hours’ notice, provided they’re given a chance to speak with an attorney.
Countries like Costa Rica, Panama, and El Salvador have already accepted deportees.
Others—including South Sudan and potentially Rwanda—are in talks with U.S. officials.
Human rights groups are raising red flags, warning that some of these destinations may have poor human rights records or no cultural connection to the deportees.
Trump Says More Facilities Are Coming
Despite the backlash, Trump remains unfazed. “I couldn’t care less” about the criticism, he told reporters during his tour.
In fact, he wants more detention centers just like this one across the country.
“There’s going to be another one in Florida—and probably a couple more,” he said.
“This setup is perfect. You can’t escape. The only way out is deportation.”
The Political Divide Over Immigration Grows Deeper
While supporters say the Florida facility is a much-needed solution to border and immigration issues, critics argue it represents a dangerous step toward dehumanizing migrants.
What’s clear is that “Alligator Alcatraz” has become the latest flashpoint in America’s long-running immigration debate—and it’s not going away anytime soon.