Where is Alligator Alcatraz? Dubbed East Coast version of famed prison, Trump and Kristi Noem visited new ICE detention center in Ochopee, Florida.
What is Alligator Alcatraz, and what does it look like?
Alligator Alcatraz, the immigration detention center in the Florida Everglades, had a special visitor July 1 − President Donald Trump. It marked the first visit back to his home state in two months.
Championed by Gov. Ron DeSantis and State Attorney General James Uthmeier, the state transformed the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport in Ochopee into Alligator Alcatraz in a quick turnaround (see below). Florida’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center was previously a 39-square-mile airport facility with a 10,500-foot runway to temporarily detain “illegal aliens.”
However, not everyone is on board with Alligator Alcatraz. Since ground broke at transforming the lone airport strip into the ICE detention center, environmental groups have protested against Alligator Alcatraz.
Some stats about Alligator Alcatraz, Florida’s ICE detention center, as of Tuesday, July 1, 2025, or “opening day”:
- maximum capacity of detainees: 3,000
- Alligator Alcatraz staff members: 1,000
- Alligator Alcatraz security personnel: more than 400
- There is a legal service on-site 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- Alligator Alcatraz has access to a clergy.
- Alligator Alcatraz has a laundry service.
- There is a recreation yard at Alligator Alcatraz.
- Alligator Alcatraz is air-conditioned.
- How long did it take to build Alligator Alcatraz: 8 days
- number of security cameras: more than 200
- barbed wire at Alligator Alcatraz: more than 28,000 feet
- The ICE detention center hosted VIP guests for its opening day, including President Donald Trump, Kristi Noem, secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, and Florida Rep. Byron Donalds.
Below are videos of Alligator Alcatraz, including a tour of what it looks like, protesters who oppose the ICE detention center in the Florida Everglades, and what the airport site could have been.
Alligator Alcatraz: Video tour of ICE detention Center in Ochopee, Florida, including Trump visit
Helicopter video shows ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ site in Florida
An immigration detention facility located at an isolated Florida Everglades airfield surrounded by swamplands is about ready to open according to federal officials.
Bloomberg
President Donald Trump visits ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ in Florida
President Donald Trump visited a new migrant detention center, dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz,” in Florida.
Trump takes shot at Biden during Alligator Alcatraz tour in Florida
Trump supporters at Alligator Alcatraz in the Florida Everglades
Trump says Biden is a ‘son of a b-tch’ on Alligator Alcatraz tour
President Donald Trump took shots at former President Joe Biden’s immigration policies during his tour of Alligator Alcatraz.
Alligator Alcatraz pro-Trump demonstrator speaks up.
A handful of pro-Trump demonstrators showed up at the entrance of Alligator Alcatraz on the day of Trump’s July 1 visit to Alligator Alcatraz.
Alligator Alcatraz protests in Florida
Protestors of Alligator Alcatraz in the Everglades gather at the site at President Donald Trump visits
Protestors of Alligator Alcatraz in the Everglades gather at the site at President Donald Trump visits
DHS image of ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ ignites debate on detention facility
A controversial social media post of the so-called “Alligator Alcatraz” migrant detention facility in Florida is creating a stir.
Scripps News
Alligator Alcatraz video playlist of ICE detention center in Ochopee, Florida
Sangalang is a lead digital producer for USA TODAY Network. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram at @byjensangalang. Support local journalism. Consider subscribing to a Florida newspaper.
