Two weeks after its opening, a temporary migrant detention center situated in the Everglades is grappling with significant logistical issues. Reports indicate that portable toilets frequently back up, sewage must be collected and transported, and detainees and staff are under siege from swarms of mosquitoes. The facility, lacking permanent structures, electricity, and running water, relies on daily deliveries of drinking and bathing water, which is often insufficient. Rainwater leaks into the tents that shelter detainees’ chain-link cells, as detailed in interviews with three former guards and phone conversations with detainees.
The accounts from former guards and detainees paint a troubling picture of life inside this $450 million detention center, which has become emblematic of the Trump administration’s stringent immigration enforcement policies. Dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz” by Republicans, it has drawn the attention of other states considering similar facilities. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi L. Noem revealed that as part of a strategy to double the nation's immigrant detention capacity to 100,000 beds, five other states are evaluating the feasibility of this site.
Democrats, environmental advocates, tribal leaders, and immigration attorneys have voiced strong opposition to the site, labeling it inhumane and costly. Despite their concerns, state officials have denied independent inspections of the camp, which lawmakers have requested. “The plumbing and sewage claims are false. The facility is in good working order, and detainees have access to drinking water, showers, and clean facilities for hygiene,” said Stephanie Hartman, deputy director of communications for the Florida Division of Emergency Management.
Several former guards expressed that the pay was a significant factor in their decision to work there, with advertisements offering $26 an hour, plus overtime at $39 an hour. This rate is considerably higher than the typical $22 hourly wage for prison guards in Florida, according to the state’s Department of Corrections. However, some guards left the facility after only a week due to dissatisfaction with conditions for both staff and detainees.
Many guards reported being provided with mosquito repellent on their first day, while detainees received minimal protection. A retired South Florida county jail officer described a horrifying experience where she had to shower alongside a multitude of mosquitoes, emphasizing the unbearable conditions. Detainees echoed these sentiments, with one stating, “The mosquitoes don’t let you sleep.” The environment has raised health concerns among detainees, with many worrying about potential diseases.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis utilized emergency powers to repurpose an underused airfield in the Big Cypress National Preserve to create this makeshift detention space. Constructed in just eight days, the site includes tents for detainees, sleeping pods for staff, and generators for power. The estimated operational cost of the detention camp stands at $450 million per year, with proponents touting the natural surroundings, including alligators, as a deterrent to escape.
Republican lawmakers who toured the facility described it as clean and well-maintained, suggesting it was a typical emergency management setup. In contrast, Democrats noted that their visit felt staged and sanitized, raising concerns about the reality of detainee conditions. Detainees were noted to be crammed into cages with over 30 others, wearing wristbands indicating their alleged offenses.
Several lawmakers have filed lawsuits to gain unimpeded access to the facility, highlighting a perceived waste of taxpayer dollars. The Trump administration's reliance on soft-sided facilities like the Everglades center has drawn attention, especially as these setups are generally more costly than traditional brick-and-mortar detention centers. Despite the temporary nature of these facilities, they often incur higher costs due to rapid assembly and staffing needs.
Reports from guards and detainees indicate grim living conditions, including cold meals, lack of essential hygiene supplies, and intermittent air conditioning failures. Detainees have resorted to creating makeshift games to pass the time, reflecting the overall desperation of their situation. One detainee reported going four days without a shower, while others complained about inadequate access to hygiene facilities.
In light of the ongoing controversy, Governor DeSantis has paused plans for additional detention centers until “Alligator Alcatraz” reaches full capacity. He asserts that the facility will serve as a quick processing center for those apprehended by ICE agents, emphasizing a focus on operational efficiency rather than comfort for detainees.
