A Florida Indigenous American leader spoke up versus a brand-new migrant apprehension center in the Florida Everglades, nicknamed “Alligator Alcatraz,” increasing ecological and safety and security worries for regional tribal neighborhoods.
Head of state Trump, checking out the website Tuesday, claimed the center will certainly hold “a few of one of the most enormous travelers, a few of one of the most savage individuals in the world.”
The apprehension facility, improved a remote airstrip in the Everglades, can stand up to 5,000 travelers in outdoors tents and trailers.
A drone sight reveals the building website of the state’s upcoming “Alligator Alcatraz” ICE apprehension facility at Dade-Collier Training and Change Flight Terminal in Ochopee, Florida, June 28, 2025.
AP
Talbert Cypress, chairman of the Miccosukee Organization Council, claimed some tribal towns lie within 900 feet of the center’s entry.
” This suggested center is bordered on all sides by the Huge Cypress National Preserve, and the people has actually frequented the Huge Cypress for centuries,” Cypress informed ABC Information.
Cypress indicated the absence of ecological researches on what producing the apprehension facility can suggest for the regional environment.
” There’s been no ecological effect research study done. The ecological effect research study that was done back in 1974 virtually recommended that placing any type of sort of aircraft in the location was mosting likely to have considerable influence on the Everglades,” he claimed.
Demonstrators hold indications as they object Head of state Head of state Donald Trump’s see to a migrant apprehension facility, called “Alligator Alcatraz,” situated at the website of the Dade-Collier Training and Change Flight Terminal in Ochopee, Florida, July 1, 2025.
Giorgio Viera/AFP using Getty Pictures
The center’s distance to standard Indigenous camps, where Miccosukee and Seminole participants live and instruct both American and Indigenous education and learning, has actually increased even more worries.
” We’re worried regarding safety and security … CBP, likewise simply generally, all the website traffic that’s mosting likely to be coming via there, and trips can be found in and out,” Cypress claimed.
Throughout the trip with Division of Homeland Protection Assistant Kristi Noem and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Trump highlighted the center’s remote area.
Beds are seen inside a migrant apprehension facility, called “Alligator Alcatraz,” situated at the website of the Dade-Collier Training and Change Flight Terminal in Ochopee, Fla., July 1, 2025.
Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP using Getty Pictures
” It’s extremely ideal, since I looked outdoors and it’s not a location I intend to go treking anytime quickly,” Trump claimed. “We’re bordered by miles of treacherous overload land, and the only escape is actually expulsion.”
ABC Information reporter Victor Oquendo reported that the management sees the bordering wild animals, consisting of alligators and pythons, as an all-natural obstacle for the apprehension facility, quiting travelers from having the ability to run away.
The center may end up being a version for comparable facilities prepared in Louisiana and Alabama, Trump informed ABC Information.
New information examined by ABC Information reveals a change in enforcement concerns, with even more apprehensions of travelers without rap sheet. DHS reacted that 70% of ICE apprehensions were travelers with a rap sheet.
Cypress finished with a message to Trump and DeSantis: “Head Of State Trump and DeSantis have actually been great to the Everglades, and we seem like [this is a] action in reverse in their initiative.”
