U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem has announced that five Republican-led states are in active discussions with the federal government to replicate Florida's recently opened migrant detention facility, known as "Alligator Alcatraz."
The facility, located on a remote airstrip in the Florida Everglades, was built in just over a week and is designed to hold up to 3,000 detainees.
Speaking about the expansion plan, Florida Voice quotes Noem as explaining:
"We're looking at other locations as well. We've had several other states that are actually using Alligator Alcatraz as a model for how they can partner with us as well. Those governors have been fantastic. I will tell you, they are all Republicans. So I would challenge some Democrats to start taking care of your states, partner with us"
The Florida site has sparked sharply divided reactions from lawmakers and advocacy groups. Republican Florida Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, who toured the facility, said it was "well run, safe, secure, clean and air conditioned," and dismissed criticism as "bulls*** and political theater," while state Sen. Jay Collins (R-FL) described the infrastructure as "basic but appropriate."
Democratic officials have offered a starkly different account. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) said about her weekend visit that "there are really disturbing, vile conditions and this place needs to be shut the hell down," describing detainees "packed into cages, wall-to-wall humans, 32 detainees per cage."
Rep. Maxwell Alejandro Frost (D-FL) reported "unhygienic conditions due to toilets not working and feces being spread everywhere," while Rep. Darren Soto (D-FL) warned about flooding risks in the low-lying area.
Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith (D-FL), who also visited the site, claimed he was denied access to occupied and medical areas. "750 humans in cages. Not allowed to speak to detainees," he said, while accusing the state of awarding "$450 million in no-bid contracts for GOP donors."
The Department of Homeland Security has defended the facility, stating that "ICE has higher detention standards than most U.S. prisons" and ensures access to food, medical care, and legal communication.
Despite criticism from local leaders like Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava Noem encouraged broader bipartisan cooperation. "Lift the phone, call DHS, work with us," she said.
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