On Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump visited the controversial immigration detention facility informally referred to as “Alligator Alcatraz,” situated in the heart of the Florida Everglades. This facility has been under fire from critics who label it as an inhumane makeshift prison camp. However, the president celebrated it as a prototype for future detention centers across the nation, suggesting that it could streamline deportations, even hinting at the possibility of deporting U.S. citizens.

During the tour, Trump was accompanied by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. He elaborated on his vision for the facility, stating it would soon be responsible for detaining “the most menacing migrants, some of the most vicious people on the planet.” Trump’s remarks highlighted the facility's isolating nature, as he described it as a place he would prefer to avoid, saying, “that’s not a place I want to go hiking anytime soon.”

While touring the facility, which features rows of bunk beds enclosed within cages, Trump remarked, “It might be as good as the real Alcatraz,” referencing the notorious federal prison. He acknowledged that the facility's controversial nature doesn’t concern him, stating, “It’s a little controversial, but I couldn’t care less.” This statement underscores Trump's characteristic defiance towards public opinion, especially regarding his immigration policies.

Trump's visit included a light-hearted moment where he joked about the migrants’ chances of surviving an escape if they encountered alligators, quipping, “We’re going to teach them how to run away from an alligator if they escape prison. Don’t run in a straight line. Run like this,” while demonstrating with his hand in a zigzag motion.

The detention center is located at an isolated airfield approximately 72 kilometers west of Miami, surrounded by swamps teeming with mosquitoes and wildlife, including alligators and pythons. Proponents of the facility believe its harsh conditions will serve as a deterrent for illegal immigration. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier mentioned, “If you’re housed there, if you’re detained there, there’s no way in, no way out.”

Trump expressed his aspiration to replicate these centers across many states in the U.S., and he provocatively suggested that the country should consider deporting U.S. citizens involved in violent crimes, stating, “They’re not new to our country. They’re old to our country. Many of them were born in our country. I think we ought to get them the hell out of here, too.”

The Alligator Alcatraz facility currently accommodates 3,000 detainees within dormitory-style housing enclosed by chain-link fences and topped with barbed wire. Officials have stated that the facility can be expanded to house up to 5,000 individuals. The construction of the facility was completed in a rapid eight-day timeframe by the DeSantis administration, and it is equipped with extensive security measures, including surveillance cameras and a staff of 400.

However, the facility's opening has sparked significant protests from various groups, including immigrant advocates, environmental activists, and Indigenous communities. Critics argue that the site poses a threat to vital wetlands and that the detention facility is merely a cruel political maneuver. Demonstrators have congregated in the area to voice their opposition, citing concerns over human rights violations and environmental degradation.

In response to environmental worries, Trump downplayed the significance, claiming that the wildlife of the wetlands would outlast the human population. Meanwhile, promotional efforts for the facility have included social media posts showcasing images of alligators wearing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) hats, and the Florida Republican Party has capitalized on the facility's notoriety by selling gator-themed merchandise.

To expedite the processing of detainees, Governor DeSantis proposed utilizing members of Florida's National Guard to be “deputized” as immigration judges, a move intended to alleviate pressure on the country’s overloaded immigration court system. Noem expressed hope that other governors would follow Florida's lead, stating, “I would ask every other governor to do the exact same thing.”