America is getting a first look into “Alligator Alcatraz” — the Miami-Dade Collier Training Facility approved
by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to house, process, and deport criminal illegal aliens — as President
Donald Trump makes a visit on the day of its grand opening.
A video shows the inside of the facility — finished in just over a week — with bed after bed lined up across the structure.
Alligator Alcatraz was a temporary immigration detention facility constructed in the Florida Everglades at the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport, approximately 43 miles (70 km) from central Miami. The facility was built rapidly, reportedly within eight days, and was designed to serve as a centralized location for holding individuals awaiting deportation, particularly those with final deportation orders. It featured soft-sided holding units, including heavy-duty tents and trailers, along with portable restrooms and showers, and was initially capable of housing about 3,000 detainees, with plans to expand to 5,000 beds.
The site earned the nickname “Alligator Alcatraz” due to its remote location in a swampy region inhabited by alligators and pythons, with Florida officials suggesting the natural surroundings acted as a deterrent against escape. Governor Ron DeSantis and President Donald Trump promoted the facility as part of a broader immigration crackdown, emphasizing its two-mile runway that allowed for direct deportation flights using federal and military aircraft. The facility was funded through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Shelter and Services Program at an estimated annual cost of $450 million, with the Florida Division of Emergency Management overseeing operations.
Conditions at the facility were highly controversial. Democratic lawmakers, including Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, described the environment as “disturbing and vile,” citing overcrowding, unsanitary conditions, and detainees being held in cages. Reports indicated issues such as non-functioning toilets, inconsistent access to showers, and limited communication with legal counsel. Families of detainees raised concerns about inadequate medical care, including a case involving Michael Borrego Fernandez, who alleged he received insufficient treatment following colon surgery and was denied pain medication and proper hygiene. The Department of Homeland Security denied these claims, stating that detainees had access to 24/7 medical care, legal services, and clean facilities.
Despite federal and state claims that the facility housed only individuals with criminal records or final deportation orders, investigations revealed that over 250 of the more than 700 identified detainees did not have criminal convictions or pending charges, having been detained solely for immigration violations. Legal confusion also surrounded the facility’s status, with the Trump administration asserting it was a state-run site, while DHS maintained involvement in detainee transfers and medical emergencies.
In August 2025, a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction ordering the facility to shut down within 60 days due to procedural violations in its construction and operation. By late August, the Department of Homeland Security confirmed that the facility was being emptied in compliance with the court order, though it intended to appeal the decision. As of that time, only about half of the detainees remained, and the site was no longer operational.
