The "Alligator Alcatraz" Detention Center Is Flooding

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2 days ago

On July 1, President Trump toured Florida's new immigration detention camp, dubbed "Alligator Alcatraz," located in the Florida Everglades. Along with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis during a press conference, they touted how quickly the facility was set up: in just under eight days.
(If you, too, are squinting trying to read President Trump's hat, I zoomed in on it — and it says "GULF OF AMERICA: Yet Another TRUMP Development.")
For a little background, Governor DeSantis used an emergency order to seize the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport area from Miami-Dade County, and CBS reports that it was paid for by funds from "FEMA's shelter and services program, an initiative created by Congress to support groups and cities receiving migrants and asylum-seekers released from federal custody along the U.S.-Mexico border."
According to CBS, the "facility will have up to several thousand beds to house, process and deport individuals who were in the country illegally."Environmental groups have already filed suit to stop the detention center from opening until a full environmental review has been completed.
Well, it looks like all that speedy building may have resulted in some less-than-ideal conditions. Anna Eskamani, a Democrat congressperson representing Florida's 42nd district, shared a video on TikTok illustrating what the place looks like already:
A summer rainstorm during the press conference caused water to seep underneath the tent and onto the floors (around a bunch of electrical cords, no less).
Anna said in a caption on the video, "Flooding already happening at the Trump/DeSantis interment camp in the Everglades that is costing us more than $450M. Not only is this an environmental disaster, but it is inhumane & not even close to being safe! We do NOT need this! Imagine if this time and money went into affordable housing instead."
Here's even more water, pooling in front of the door.
Unsurprisingly, commenters did not hold anything back. "Let the weather and incompetence do the job before anyone is sent there."
"they always seem to have money to hurt people. but money for public transit, or schools, or community health care? sorry we're broke."
"Imagine building something in a swamp and expecting it not to flood."
"Can you imagine what would happen in a hurricane?"
The video also made its way over to Twitter (X), where people continued to share their thoughts. "The flooding at 'Alligator Alcatraz' is a glaring example of the systemic neglect and human rights violations inherent in migrant detention centers."
"Aren't there STANDARDS for what constitutes a 'detention center'?"
"'We finished it in one week'. This is what you get when you do things half-assed. Just like the policies..."
Regarding the rainfall in the area, the local Naples Daily News reported that it gets around 60 inches of rain per year. And prior to the flooding, State Division of Emergency Management Executive Director Kevin Guthrie told them that "the untested site constructed in eight days can withstand Category 2 winds of 110 mph, significantly less than the three major storms that impacted Southwest Florida the past three years." However, the National Park Service says that the "Everglades National Park lies within one of the most active hurricane areas of the United States."
The Miami Herald also reported in late June that "In the event of a hurricane, Division of Emergency Management officials [said] that detainees and staff would be evacuated from the site. The agency added that it is developing a disaster plan."
After yesterday's rainstorm, the Tampa Bay Times reported that Stephanie Hartman, the deputy director of communications for the Division of Emergency Management, said the issues had been resolved. 'Overnight, the vendors went back and tightened any seams at the base of the structures that allowed water intrusion during the heavy storm, which was minimal.'