Beyond ‘Alligator Alcatraz’: DeSantis Proposes New Immigration Detention Center—What You Need to Know

Florida is moving forward with plans for a new detention center to hold immigrants, adding to the state’s strong push in immigrant enforcement. Governor Ron DeSantis announced a possible site at Camp Blanding, a National Guard training center near Jacksonville, next to an ongoing project at a remote airstrip in the Everglades, nicknamed “Alligator Alcatraz.”

This construction plan has raised concerns among environmentalists and human rights advocates. They criticize it as cruel and inhumane, noting that it places the facility in environmentally sensitive wetlands that are important to Native American tribes.

Governor DeSantis has been vocal about Florida’s role in supporting President Trump’s increased immigration detention goals. His administration aims to more than double the national capacity from 41,000 to 100,000 beds. The state plans to use heavy-duty tents and trailers to set up 5,000 beds quickly, easing space issues in local jails.

However, managing this facility will come at a cost—about $245 per bed per day, totaling around $450 million a year. These expenses will initially be borne by Florida, but the Federal Emergency Management Agency will reimburse the state.

Supporters claim that the remote location of the airfield is ideal for security, with DeSantis joking that “if someone escapes, there are a lot of alligators.” Critics, however, describe this move as a dramatic play for political points, illustrating a disturbing trend in how migrants are treated. Maria Asuncion Bilbao from the immigration advocacy group American Friends Service Committee voiced concerns, stating, “What’s happening is very concerning, the level of dehumanization.” She further called it “a theatricalization of cruelty.”

Moreover, reports from existing detention centers reveal disturbing conditions, including a lack of food and medical care. Experts have warned that the proposed facilities may replicate these issues.

With hurricane season approaching, Florida is drafting evacuation plans for detainees in case of emergencies. The state is under pressure to justify this significant investment in immigration enforcement, especially when emergency response capabilities are waning.

As discussions continue, Florida’s actions may set a precedent, reflecting attitudes toward immigration across the U.S. The situation prompts many to ask: what balance can be struck between security measures and the humane treatment of individuals? As these plans unfold, both supporters and opponents will likely continue to voice their perspectives loudly.

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