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By Jason Lemon
Deputy News Director
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Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier proposed a new immigrant detention center to be built in his state to assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) with mass deportation efforts.
The Republican posted the idea to X, formerly Twitter, dubbing the proposed facility "Alligator Alcatraz," as it would be located in the Everglades, which is home to more than 200,000 alligators.
Newsweek reached out to Uthmeier's office and ICE for comment via email on Thursday.
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Why It Matters
Uthmeier's proposal intertwines with the politically divisive issue of immigration and the Trump administration's continued efforts to mass deport immigrants and prevent entry for some others. Critics of the administration have protested ICE raids, but supporters view the effort as necessary to keep the country secure.
Polling has consistently shown that President Donald Trump's handling of immigration remains one of his best issues with voters, despite significant backlash from critics.
What to Know
Uthmeier posted a just over 1-minute-long video to X on Thursday, writing: "Alligator Alcatraz: the one-stop shop to carry out President Trump's mass deportation agenda."
In the video, the Florida attorney general touted the largely unused Miami-Dade Collier Training Facility as an ideal location to house migrants awaiting deportation. He said the site was 39 square miles in size, estimating it could house 1,000 migrants within one to two months.
"It presents an efficient, low-cost opportunity to build a temporary detention facility because you don't need to invest that much in the perimeter," Uthmeier said. "People get out, there's not much waiting for them other than alligators and pythons. Nowhere to go, nowhere to hide."
The Republican official touted his support for the Trump administration's mass deportation efforts, saying Florida had been providing assistance and would continue to do so.
"This presents a great opportunity for the state of Florida to work with Miami-Dade and Collier counties," he said. "Alligator Alcatraz—we're ready to go."
The Department of Homeland Security, of which ICE is a part, appeared on board with the proposal, reposting Uthmeier's video on X.
Florida is currently the national leader in terms of law enforcement agencies working directly with ICE through the 287(g) Program. According to the Tallahassee Democrat, there are 629 such agreements nationwide, and 43 percent of those are in Florida. Texas comes in second, making up 14 percent.
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What People Are Saying
The Department of Homeland Security, on X: "ALLIGATOR ALCATRAZ. Under 287g authority, state and local law enforcement can now assist with immigration functions, including: arrests, transportation, and detention. 287g is a force multiplier in completing the President's mission and making America safe again."
Border czar Tom Homan: "President Trump's leadership has resulted in the most secure border in this nation's history. In the last 24 hours the Border Patrol encountered a total of 95 illegal aliens across the entire southern border. That is the lowest number EVER recorded. Compare that to the Biden Administration who surpassed more than 10,000 per day."
Representative Maxwell Frost, a Florida Democrat, on X: "Donald Trump and his Administration have turned our immigration system into a taxpayer-funded kidnapping operation."
Senator Alex Padilla, a California Democrat, referring to ICE's efforts on X: "The numbers don't lie. Trump isn't focused on violent criminals—he's wasting money and resources going after children, families, and taxpayers."
What Happens Next
It's unclear if the new detention center will actually move forward. However, based on their posts, DHS and the Florida attorney general appear to be in agreement regarding the proposal.
Update 6/19/25, 4:37 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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