The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has given the green light for the construction of a new immigrant detention center in Florida, colloquially referred to as "Alligator Alcatraz.
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This development, as reported by the New York Times, marks a significant step in the state's approach to handling illegal immigration.
According to Breitbart, the concept for this facility was initially proposed by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier. He suggested transforming the "virtually abandoned Miami-Dade Collier Training Facility" into a detention center for illegal aliens, with the unique feature of being surrounded by natural deterrents such as alligators and pythons.
Uthmeier stated, "I think this is the best one. I call it Alligator Alcatraz. This 30 square mile area is completely surrounded by the Everglades presents an efficient, low cost opportunity to build a temporary detention facility because you dont need to invest that much in the perimeter." He further noted that if detainees were to escape, "theres not much waiting for them other than alligators and pythons."
The New York Times details that the facility will consist of large tents and other planned structures, with operational costs estimated at around $450 million annually. However, Florida has the option to seek partial reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), as confirmed by Tricia McLaughlin, a spokeswoman for the DHS.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem elaborated on the funding and purpose of these new facilities in a post on X. She emphasized that under President Trump's leadership, the administration is swiftly implementing cost-effective and innovative solutions to fulfill the American people's demand for mass deportations of criminal illegal aliens.
"We will expand facilities and bed space in just days, thanks to our partnership with Florida," Noem wrote. She also pointed out that "these new facilities will in large part be funded by FEMAs Shelter and Services Program," criticizing the Biden administration for previously utilizing this program to house illegal aliens at significant taxpayer expense.
Uthmeier expressed his support for the initiative, stating, "Im proud to help support President Trump and Secretary Noem in their mission to fix our illegal immigration problem once and for all. Alligator Alcatraz and other Florida facilities will do just that."
He further affirmed Florida's commitment to collaborating with the current administration to ensure the state's safety and freedom, declaring, "We in Florida will fight alongside this administration to keep Florida safe, strong, and free."
This development underscores a broader strategy to address illegal immigration through innovative and cost-effective measures, aligning with conservative priorities of enforcing immigration laws and safeguarding national security.
The collaboration between state and federal agencies highlights a concerted effort to tackle this pressing issue, with the potential for significant impacts on immigration policy and enforcement.
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