Trump to visit 'Alligator Alcatraz' detention center this week: Source
Share and Follow


() President Donald Trump is expected to visit Florida’s controversial detention center dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz” when it opens Tuesday, a source familiar with the matter told .

The immigrant detention center, fast-tracked by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, is located deep in the state’s Everglades wetlands.

The facility will include temporary structures such as heavy-duty tents and trailers to house detained immigrants. The state has estimated that by early July, it will have 5,000 immigration detention beds in operation.

Environmental groups fear the site will harm the Everglades’ ecosystem, which is teeming with massive reptiles, including alligators and Burmese pythons.

DeSantis has touted the area’s wildlife as a positive: “Clearly, from a security perspective, if someone escapes, you know, there’s a lot of alligators. No one’s going anywhere.”

Some Native American leaders claim the center encroaches on sacred land. There are 15 traditional Miccosukee and Seminole villages, as well as ceremonial and burial grounds and other gathering sites, in Big Cypress National Preserve, where the airstrip is located.

Human rights activists have called the facility inhumane and raised issues with potentially thousands of people being housed in temporary tents and trailers during Florida’s hurricane season.

Environmental groups late Friday filed a last-minute lawsuit to halt the facility’s opening.

In response, DeSantis’ office said the detention is a “necessary staging operation for mass deportations located at a preexisting airport that will have no impact on the surrounding environment.”

DeSantis is also reportedly considering a second processing center at Camp Blanding, a National Guard training base.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Flight attendants sue Boeing over Alaska Airlines door blowout

Flight Attendants File Lawsuit Against Boeing Following Alaska Airlines Door Malfunction

() Four Alaska Airlines flight attendants have filed lawsuits against Boeing claiming…
Ex-NBA star Danilo Gallinari's pregnant wife Eleonora Boi attacked by shark in Puerto Rico

Former NBA player Danilo Gallinari’s pregnant wife, Eleonora Boi, encounters a shark attack in Puerto Rico.

The pregnant wife of former NBA star Danilo Gallinari revealed on Friday that she…
Couple cancels wedding after groom suffers stroke, gets married in hospital instead

Couple Reschedules Ceremony After Groom’s Stroke, Ties the Knot in Hospital Instead

TEHACHAPI, Calif. (KGET) Robert Shupe and Marino Callahan had a love that…
US-Mexico tariff news: Trump signs order imposing new tariffs on a number of trading partners that go into effect in 7 days

Trump Implements New Tariffs on Trading Partners, Including Mexico, Effective in 7 Days

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order that…
Trump trains his fire on GOP allies, and worries Republicans

Trump Criticizes GOP Allies, Causing Concern Among Republicans

President Trump is increasingly directing his frustrations at specific Senate Republicans, and…
Video shows Arkansas hiking murder suspect arrested mid-haircut

Video shows Arkansas hiking murder suspect arrested mid-haircut

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Surveillance video from an…
'Dirty cop' in Indiana worked as mole for drug dealer: court docs

Court Documents Reveal Indiana Officer Acted as Informant for Drug Dealer

FAYETTE COUNTY, Ind. Court documents reveal that the drug dealer behind a…
Jeffrey Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell moved to new prison amid fight over answers, immunity

Jeffrey Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell moved to new prison amid fight over answers, immunity

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! The former girlfriend and…