The White House and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis are encouraging Republican states across the nation to build their own versions of “Alligator Alcatraz,” the remote detention facility for illegal immigrants located in the Florida Everglades — with rumors from prisoners that the mosquitoes are “the size of elephants.”
As multiple red states express interest in similar projects, the first images from inside the Florida facility have emerged.
President Donald Trump toured the facility Tuesday alongside DeSantis and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, calling it a critical component of his administration’s deportation efforts.
“It’s known as ‘Alligator Alcatraz,’ which is very appropriate because I looked outside, and that’s not a place I want to go hiking anytime soon,” Trump said during his tour. “But very soon this facility will have some of the most menacing migrants, some of the most vicious people on the planet.”
“We’re surrounded by miles of treacherous swampland, and the only way out is really deportation,” the president added. “And a lot of these people are self-deporting back to their country where they came from.”
See for yourself —
What it looks like inside Alligator Alcatraz. pic.twitter.com/oCHedxkPNs
— Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) July 1, 2025
The facility, built on a 30-square-mile property in the Everglades swamplands of Miami-Dade County, was constructed at a former airport and outfitted with tent structures designed to house 5,000 illegal immigrants. DeSantis authorized construction under an emergency order in June.
“All the red states, at a minimum, need to step up and do this,” DeSantis said. “If all red states are doing what Florida is doing, even if it’s at a smaller scale, because they may be smaller, you’re going to see massive numbers for the deportations.”
Several Republican governors have responded to calls for similar facilities in their states. Georgia announced plans to build what officials described as the “largest detention facility in the nation,” while Arkansas is constructing a new 3,000-bed prison.
“Governor Sanders is working hand-in-hand with the Trump Administration to deport violent, criminal illegal immigrants,” said Sam Dubke, communications director for Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has already offered “4,000 beds for detention” to the federal government, according to his press secretary Andrew Mahaleris, who said “Texas will continue to assist the Trump administration in arresting, detaining and deporting illegal immigrants.”
South Carolina Representative Nancy Mace said she was interested in a similar facility being built in her state.
“Dear DHS: We’ve got a swamp and a dream. Let’s talk. South Carolina’s gators are ready. And they’re not big on paperwork. If I was Governor, we’d be bringing Alligator Alcatraz to South Carolina,” Mace said on social media.
White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller called on all Republican governors to follow DeSantis’ lead during a recent appearance on Fox News.
“We want to go to every Republican state – now, of course, in a sane country, Democrats would do it, too, but they love the illegals and they hate the Americans,” Miller said. “We want every governor of a red state, and if you are watching tonight: pick up the phone, call DHS, work with us to build facilities in your state so we can get the illegals out and we can get the criminals out.”
Detainees inside the facility have described harsh conditions as they await deportation. Leamsy Izquierdo, an illegal immigrant being deported after a violent incident, complained to Telemundo 51 that conditions are difficult.
“There is no water here to bathe,” Izquierdo claimed. “They give you food only once a day, food that even has worms in it.” He said the lights stay on 24/7 and described mosquitoes as being “the size of elephants.”
Izquierdo was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and battery following a violent dispute with a tow company worker who was trying to repossess a jet ski.
Florida authorities said the facility’s location in the heart of the Everglades provides natural security barriers.
“This 30-square-mile area is completely surrounded by the Everglades. It presents an efficient, low-cost opportunity to build a temporary detention facility because you don’t need to invest that much in the perimeter. People get out there, there’s not much waiting for them other than alligators and pythons. Nowhere to go, nowhere to hide,” according to Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier.
Congressional Democrats have criticized the facility, with some calling it a “political stunt” and are demanding access to inspect conditions.
Florida’s Republican Party mocked these lawmakers on social media, thanking them for “finally taking an interest in the illegal immigration crisis.”