Hundreds of protesters gathered Saturday outside the Dade-Collier airstrip in the Florida Everglades to oppose the construction of a migrant detention center dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz.” The facility, fast-tracked under an executive order from Gov. Ron DeSantis, will house up to 5,000 detainees in temporary structures.
The coalition of opponents includes Native American leaders, environmental activists, and local officials who argue the center threatens sacred tribal lands, endangered species, and the ecological health of the Everglades. “It’s a reckless attack on the lifeblood of Florida,” said Elise Bennett of the Center for Biological Diversity.
The site is near Big Cypress National Preserve, home to Miccosukee and Seminole villages, ceremonial grounds, and wildlife including the endangered Florida panther. Lawsuits filed Friday claim the state bypassed environmental reviews and violated federal law.
Supporters, including DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, say the remote site offers “natural security” for deportation operations, a claim bolstered by DeSantis: “If people get out, there’s a lot of alligators.”
Construction continues as litigation moves forward.
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