Democrats oppose arrival of detainees at Alligator Alcatraz

A group of seven Democratic members of Congress hailing from Florida have recently penned a strong-worded letter to the governor expressing their vehement opposition to the establishment of a temporary detention center at the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport. This proposed facility, mockingly referred to as “Alligator Alcatraz,” has sparked concerns among these lawmakers regarding the treatment of immigrants who may be housed there in the future. Moreover, they have also highlighted their grave apprehensions regarding the potential environmental and tribal repercussions of this decision.

The representatives have emphasized that they firmly believe Florida’s Everglades, often described as the “River of Grass,” are not a suitable location for a prison facility of this nature. The juxtaposition of a detention center amidst the natural splendor of the Everglades is a source of significant concern for these politicians, who fear for the well-being of the immigrants who may be detained there.

A recently shared video on social media platform X depicts flooding caused by a minor rain shower at the site, raising further doubts about the structural integrity of the proposed detention center. The imminent arrival of detainees also brings to light the question of whether the facility is adequately equipped to withstand the potential threat of a tropical storm or hurricane. In response to these worries, officials from Florida Emergency Management assure the public that contingency plans are in place, and in the event of a natural disaster, the facility would be promptly evacuated to ensure the safety of all individuals involved.

Initial reports suggest that the facility is slated to open with a capacity of 1,000 beds, with the potential for expansion to accommodate up to 3,000 individuals in the near future. This significant increase in capacity raises further questions about the long-term implications of establishing such a detention center in close proximity to the sensitive ecosystem of the Everglades.

The letter outlining the aforementioned concerns was signed by a coalition of Democratic Representatives from Florida, including Debbi Wasserman Schultz, Lois Frankel, Darren Soto, Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, Frederica Wilson, Kathy Castor, and Maxwell Frost. Their unified stance against the establishment of the detention center underscores the seriousness of the situation and the need for immediate action to address these pressing issues surrounding the proposed facility in the Everglades.