Miami-Dade mayor: Alligator Alcatraz is not who we are | Opinion

As the mayor of Miami-Dade County — a vibrant community built by immigrants and enriched by diversity — I am deeply concerned by federal immigration actions that prioritize fear and enforcement over compassion and justice.

These policies are not only ineffective in managing immigration challenges, but also fundamentally inhumane, undermining the very values that define our nation.

Immigration is a complex issue that requires thoughtful, humane solutions — not harsh crackdowns that tear families apart and inflict unnecessary suffering on vulnerable individuals, many of whom have faced enormous hardship in pursuit of a better life for themselves and their children.

Yet we continue to see federal directives that escalate detentions, restrict asylum access, and separate children from their parents. These actions disregard human dignity and ignore the real stories behind every immigrant seeking a better life.

Miami-Dade stands as a beacon of hope and opportunity, where immigrants contribute to our economy, culture, and community every day. Our county is home to people from every corner of the globe — including families fleeing violence and political oppression from brutal dictators, all chasing the American dream. To treat these individuals as criminals or threats is both unjust and counterproductive.

Our immigration policies should focus on securing our borders and deporting dangerous criminals, not removing protections for people who are following the law and helping build our economy.

However, recent federal immigration measures have led to overcrowded detention centers with deplorable conditions, inadequate access to legal counsel and an alarming rise in family separations. These practices violate basic human rights and international norms. They inflict trauma that reverberates across generations and erode trust in government institutions.

The federal government must adopt immigration policies that are humane, transparent, and just. This includes expanding pathways to legal status, improving asylum processes, ensuring safe and dignified treatment in detention, and prioritizing family unity. Immigration is not a crisis to be feared — it’s an opportunity to be managed with compassion.

Immigrants are our neighbors, colleagues, and friends. They enrich our communities culturally and economically. The current harsh federal approach not only endangers these individuals, but also weakens the moral fabric of our nation. We must reject policies that promote fear and division, and instead embrace approaches grounded in dignity and respect for human rights.

This week, I called on the state of Florida to give Miami-Dade County monitoring access to the state-managed facility dubbed Alligator Alcatraz.

Though the state commandeered this site through the executive powers of the governor, Miami-Dade is the property owner — and we believe our request for access is warranted.

Given the critical environmental significance of this area and Miami-Dade’s deep-rooted commitment to protecting and preserving the Everglades, local authorities must maintain clear transparency throughout these operations.

Furthermore, although the federal government has stated that their focus is on returning violent criminals to their home countries, continued reports paint a different picture.

National data shows that the majority of those in ICE custody today have no criminal convictions — and 93% have no violent record. Yet they are being confined nationwide in numbers and conditions that jeopardize their health, safety, and dignity.

I am particularly troubled by multiple deaths that have occurred in federal facilities in our community, by the conditions at ICE facilities nationwide, and by reports that the Everglades site may be used to house vulnerable populations — including pregnant women and children.

Many in our community have voiced deep concerns — not only about federal immigration actions, but about the restrictions placed on local governments by state mandates. I share those concerns and remain committed to doing everything within our authority to protect our residents, push for transparency, and uphold the values of our community.

As a nation built on the promise of freedom and equality, let us ensure our immigration policies reflect these ideals. We owe it to those who come seeking safety and a better life — and to ourselves.

History will remember this moment. We must always be on the side of justice and dignity.

Daniella Levine Cava is the mayor of Miami-Dade County.

This story was originally published July 8, 2025 at 1:00 PM.