Summary
A nearly deserted airport in Florida's Everglades is being turned into a migrant detention center called "Alligator Alcatraz." The center will hold about 1,000 people and support immigration policies, but it has caused concerns about environmental harm and human rights.
Key Facts
- The detention center is being built on the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport in the Everglades, about 43 miles from Miami.
- The project started following an executive order by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to address undocumented immigration.
- The new facility will have space for around 1,000 detainees and is expected to open in July or August.
- The area is known for wildlife like alligators and pythons, which contributes to its nickname "Alligator Alcatraz."
- Human rights and environmental groups worry about overcrowding and impact on the environment and detainees' conditions.
- As of now, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is holding 59,000 detainees, which is 140% above its capacity.
- The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has criticized the detention centers for issues like medical neglect and lack of legal access.
