Immigration

‘Alligator Alcatraz’ rises in the Everglades. See new immigration detention camp

A fleet of 18-wheelers lugging generators, lights and heavy machinery on Tuesday trucked deep into the Florida Everglades as construction of the newest immigration detention center, dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz” by Florida officials, began to rise west of Miami.

Gov. Ron DeSantis and his administration plan to open the 1,000-bed facility for the first week of July in the state’s latest move to increase immigration enforcement. Migrants will be housed in trailers and heavy-duty tents.

READ MORE: Florida seizes Everglades land to house detained migrants in ‘Alligator Alcatraz’

Ochopee, Fla., June 22, 2025 - Trailers line up on the runway of the old Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport, originally the site of a failed plan to build a massive international airport, as construction of ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ continues.
Ochopee, Fla., June 22, 2025 - Trailers line up on the runway of the old Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport, originally the site of a failed plan to build a massive international airport, as construction of ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ continues. Courtesy NBC 6 / TELEMUNDO 51

Construction began Monday and continued into Tuesday as more semi-trucks steadily flowed in and out of the soon-to-be facility. It will be built on top of the old Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport’s air strip, surrounded by wetlands.

Miami-Dade County owns the land, but it was seized by state officials using emergency powers from a 2023 declared state of emergency over illegal immigration.

Here’s what the construction of “Alligator Alcatraz” looked like as of Tuesday:

A semi-truck transports lighting into Dade Collier Training and Transition Airport off Tamiami Trail.
A semi-truck transports lighting into Dade Collier Training and Transition Airport off Tamiami Trail. D.A. Varela dvarela@miamiherald.com
Ochopee, Fla., June 22, 2025 - Heavy duty tents begin to be erected at the site of the soon-to-be “Alligator Alcatraz.” The structures resemble the large tents used during the COVID-19 pandemic by the Florida Division of Emergency Management for drive-thru testing.
Ochopee, Fla., June 22, 2025 - Heavy duty tents begin to be erected at the site of the soon-to-be “Alligator Alcatraz.” The structures resemble the large tents used during the COVID-19 pandemic by the Florida Division of Emergency Management for drive-thru testing. Courtesy NBC 6 / TELEMUNDO 51
Ochopee, Fla., June 22, 2025 - Construction crews assemble what appear to be heavy duty tents during the building of the new immigration detention center.
Ochopee, Fla., June 22, 2025 - Construction crews assemble what appear to be heavy duty tents during the building of the new immigration detention center. Courtesy NBC 6 / TELEMUNDO 51
Large generators are driven into “Alligator Alcatraz” during its construction.
Large generators are driven into “Alligator Alcatraz” during its construction. D.A. Varela dvarela@miamiherald.com
Semi-trailers transport heavy machinery during the construction of the new detention center.
Semi-trailers transport heavy machinery during the construction of the new detention center. D.A. Varela dvarela@miamiherald.com
A runway at the former Dade Collier Training and Transition Airport is used for a row of trailers.
A runway at the former Dade Collier Training and Transition Airport is used for a row of trailers. Courtesy NBC 6 / TELEMUNDO 51
Heavy duty generators are driven into the new immigration detention center.
Heavy duty generators are driven into the new immigration detention center. D.A. Varela dvarela@miamiherald.com
A truck transports heavy generators into Dade Collier Training and Transition Airport off Tamiami Trail on Monday, June 24, 2025, in Ochopee, Fla.
A truck transports heavy generators into Dade Collier Training and Transition Airport off Tamiami Trail on Monday, June 24, 2025, in Ochopee, Fla. D.A. Varela dvarela@miamiherald.com

In the late 60’s, the location was planned to be the largest airport in the world and the original home of what is now Miami International Airport. Construction was halted due to environmental concerns.

Jet takes off from Miami-Dade Jetport in the Florida Everglades. July 1972.
Jet takes off from Miami-Dade Jetport in the Florida Everglades. July 1972. U.S. National Archives and Records Administration.
Bone hunters site at rockpit at new jetport in the Florida Everglades, photo taken in the 1970s.
Bone hunters site at rockpit at new jetport in the Florida Everglades, photo taken in the 1970s. Bob East Miami Herald
An aerial view of the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport site.
An aerial view of the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport site. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier
An aerial view of the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport site.
An aerial view of the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport site. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier

This story was originally published June 24, 2025 at 4:03 PM.

Profile Image of Devoun Cetoute
Devoun Cetoute
Miami Herald
305-376-2026
Miami Herald Cops and Breaking News Reporter Devoun Cetoute covers a plethora of Florida topics, from breaking news to crime patterns. He was on the breaking news team that won a Pulitzer Prize in 2022. He’s a graduate of the University of Florida, born and raised in Miami-Dade. Theme parks, movies and cars are on his mind in and out of the office.
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