Trump Visits "Alligator Alcatraz" in Florida

President Trump made a stop this week at a brand-new migrant detention facility down in South Florida, which has already earned the nickname "Alligator Alcatraz." He gave props to Alabama and other Republican-led states for getting similar projects off the ground.

Inside the Facility

This Everglades installation, located at the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport, is designed to hold undocumented migrants who are being moved from local jails. According to reports, it’s running out of repurposed FEMA trailers and some temporary structures. Initial plans are to house around 3,000 detainees, but it could potentially hold up to 5,000. With mobile units handling water, sewage, and power, the annual price tag is expected to be around $450 million.

Praising Red States

Trump toured the facility with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. He specifically highlighted Alabama and Louisiana as examples of states following Florida's lead. Trump pointed out that Republican-run states are stepping up where Democratic-run states seem to be lagging.

"We have Louisiana doing it. Alabama is doing it," Trump said, suggesting that "red states" are handling security better than "blue states."

Part of a Larger Plan

This Florida facility is intended as a "completely self-contained" part of a broader deportation effort, which the Trump administration claims is aimed at discouraging illegal immigration. Reports also indicate that two companies in south Alabama have recently landed federal contracts to expand detention bed capacity nationwide for Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The project has drawn legal challenges from environmental groups.