Context:

Plans for 'Alligator Alcatraz', an immigration detention center on an airstrip in the Everglades, have quickly progressed to receiving federal approval, despite significant controversy. The facility, championed by Miami Attorney General James Uthmeier, will cost Florida approximately $450 million annually and poses potential environmental threats to a crucial part of the state's ecosystem. Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava emphasized the need for detailed environmental safeguards before proceeding, highlighting the potential devastation to the Everglades. Critics, including Eve Samples of Friends of the Everglades, argue that the proposal exemplifies the DeSantis administration's neglect of Florida's natural resources and public sentiment favoring environmental conservation. Uthmeier, however, views the project as an economical solution for immigration detention, despite the opposition and environmental concerns raised by local leaders and activists.

Dive Deeper:

• The proposal for an immigration detention center dubbed 'Alligator Alcatraz' has been rapidly approved by the federal government, sparking controversy due to its location in the Everglades, a critical Florida ecosystem.

• James Uthmeier, Miami Attorney General and former chief of staff to Governor Ron DeSantis, is a key proponent of the facility, which is estimated to cost the state $450 million annually.

• Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava has called for more information on environmental safeguards, stressing the potential for serious ecological damage to the Everglades if the project proceeds as planned.

• Critics, including Eve Samples from Friends of the Everglades, argue that the proposal reflects the DeSantis administration's disconnection from Floridians' desire to protect natural spaces, particularly the Everglades.

• The site for the detention center was once planned to be the Everglades Jetport, envisioned as a massive airport project that was never realized, marking the land as contentious in terms of development plans.

• Under Florida law, the governor has the authority to commandeer private property for emergency purposes, facilitating the swift progression of this controversial project despite opposition.

• Uthmeier defends the project as a cost-effective solution for a detention facility, although it faces significant backlash from environmentalists and local leaders concerned about the impact on Florida's green spaces.