Context:

Florida has initiated the construction of 'Alligator Alcatraz,' a detention facility for migrants on a disused airstrip in the Everglades, as part of efforts to fulfill President Trump's mass deportation agenda. The facility, named by Attorney General James Uthmeier, utilizes the natural security of the surrounding wildlife, including alligators and pythons, to minimize perimeter costs. The site, repurposing the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport, spans 39 square miles and will feature temporary structures with National Guard support. Despite federal approval and funding from FEMA, the project has faced backlash from environmental groups like Friends of the Everglades, who argue it threatens a critical ecosystem. Critics recall the site's controversial history linked to an abandoned airport project in the 1960s, emphasizing ongoing concerns about environmental impact and development in the area.

Dive Deeper:

• Florida is constructing a new migrant detention center, dubbed 'Alligator Alcatraz,' on a little-used airstrip in the Everglades, aiming to support President Trump's mass deportation policy with a low-cost, efficient facility using natural wildlife as security.

• The facility is set to be completed by early July, utilizing temporary light infrastructure such as tents and trailers, and will be managed with assistance from the National Guard to accommodate the increasing demand for detention space.

• Attorney General James Uthmeier highlights the strategic location's natural deterrents, such as alligators and pythons, which reduce the need for expensive perimeter security, making it a cost-effective solution for expanding detention capabilities.

• Environmental advocacy groups, notably Friends of the Everglades, are protesting the development, citing the ecological importance of the site and its historical significance tied to the halted Everglades Jetport project of the 1960s due to environmental concerns.

• Funding for the facility comes largely from FEMA's Shelter and Services Program, previously used during the Biden administration to provide care for migrants, reflecting a shift in priorities towards enhancing detention infrastructure.

• The site, located 36 miles from Miami and near Everglades National Park, is part of a broader plan to increase detention capacity by 5,000 beds across several facilities in Florida, amid ongoing immigration enforcement efforts.

• Critics question the decision to build on a site previously deemed environmentally sensitive, pointing to the irony of repurposing land once protected by public opposition to preserve the South Florida ecosystem.