Alligator Alcatraz is a controversial immigration detention facility located in the Florida Everglades, near Miami. It is officially known as the South Florida Detention Facility and is situated at the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport inside Big Cypress National Preserve. The name "Alligator Alcatraz" is derived from the presence of native American alligators in the wetlands and draws a comparison to the infamous Alcatraz prison in San Francisco. The facility was constructed rapidly in mid-2025 as part of an immigration detention and deportation strategy, and it has faced criticism and legal challenges due to its environmental impact, harsh conditions for detainees, and infringement on indigenous territories. Reports from detainees mention poor living conditions, including worms in food, malfunctioning toilets, lack of showers, and limited legal access. There have been court rulings to halt further expansion and intake of new detainees, citing violations of environmental laws such as the National Environmental Policy Act. The facility occupies a remote location surrounded by alligator-infested swamps in the Everglades, contributing to the nickname. Its existence and operation are politically contentious, involving environmental groups, civil liberties advocates, Native American tribes, and state and federal authorities. Summary:
- Alligator Alcatraz is a new immigration detention center in the Florida Everglades, near Miami.
- Named for the local alligator population and referencing Alcatraz prison.
- Constructed quickly in 2025, it detains immigrants primarily for deportation.
- Faces criticism for environmental harm, poor detainee conditions, and indigenous land rights issues.
- Legal actions have halted expansion and new detainee intake.
- The facility is physically isolated in an alligator-inhabited swamp area.
