Florida builds a detention center for migrants in the everglades, one of the most protected and delicate natural areas of the USA

The State of Florida has started the construction of a detention center for irregular migrants in the heart of the Everglades, one of the most protected natural areas and delicate of the United States. The new plant, nicknamed “Alligator Alcatraz” by the prosecutor General of Florida James Uthmeier, will rise at the Dade-Collier Training and Transition airport, an unused track located near the Big Cypress National Presserve.

The project provides for the installation of curtains and mobile structures capable of hosting up to 1,000 prisonerswith the possibility of extending the capacity of up to 5,000 people in different locations throughout the state. The measure is part of a larger federal strategy of accelerating the expulsions of migrants without documents, strongly supported by the Trump administration and supported by the governor Ron Desantis.

According to the plan presented, the site does not provide for the construction of permanent buildings and should be made using Read infrastructurelike renovated fema caravans and caravan. The water will be transported by tank trucks and measures will be adopted to manage waste and waste water in order to minimize the environmental impact.

The area houses numerous threatened species

However, the choice of the place aroused strong criticism by environmentalists, representatives of indigenous communities and local officials. Eve Samples, director of Friends of the everglades, underlined i potential risks for the ecosystemincluding those deriving from waste water, water supply and development of accessory infrastructures. The area houses numerous threatened species Like laminates, American crocodiles and flamingos, as well as providing essential water resources for over eight million people.

The indigenous community Miccosukee also expressed concern, complaining about the absence of official consultations. Betty Osceola, environmental activist and member of the tribe, recalled that the area is historically linked to populations native and represents a Inestimable cultural and environmental value ecosystem.

Miami-Dade County, owner of the airport, refused a state offer of 20 million dollars, estimating the value of the land in at least 190 million. In front of the stall, the state ha announced the exercise of emergency powers to proceed with the expropriation and the immediate use of the area. And so the risk that the fragile beauty of the Everglades is sacrificed in the name of short -term efficiency becomes more and more concrete.