Trump tours Florida’s new detention facility Alligator Alcatraz
The president toured Florida’s “Alligator Alcatraz,” which took 8 days to construct and will open in 24 hours.
President Donald Trump is traveling south on Tuesday for the opening of Florida’s new migrant detention facility, which has been deemed “Alligator Alcatraz.”
Trump was set to join Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier for a roundtable discussion about illegal immigration and the purpose of the new facility at 10 a.m. ET on Tuesday, July 1.
Trump and Uthmeier will be joined by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Rep. Byron Donalds, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons and Florida Division of Emergency Management Executive Director Kevin Guthrie, a news release states.
Here’s what to know about Trump’s visit.
‘When is Trump visiting ‘Alligator Alcatraz’?
Trump was set to visit “Alligator Alcatraz” around 10 a.m. ET on Tuesday, July 1.
How to watch Trump’s visit to ‘Alligator Alcatraz’
The Florida AG said Trump’s visit to “Alligator Alcatraz” was scheduled to be livestreamed on Uthmeier’s social media channels, including Rumble, YouTube, Facebook and X.
What is ‘Alligator Alcatraz’?
“Alligator Alcatraz” is a new, temporary migrant detention facility that will house, process and deport illegal immigrants, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said during a press conference on Monday, June 30.
In a previous interview, Uthmeier said he expects the facility to house migrants from Florida and other neighboring states.
‘Alligator Alcatraz’ opening draws protests
The opening of ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ drew protests, including from environmentalists and Indigenous groups.
The detention center has earned its name for the wildlife that surrounds it, Uthmeier said in a social media video.
“You don’t need to invest that much in the perimeter. People get out, there’s not much waiting for them other than alligators and pythons,” Uthmeier said. “Nowhere to go, nowhere to hide.”
The nickname is also inspired by the infamous prison island, Alcatraz, in San Francisco Bay. Trump touted the idea of reopening the prison earlier this spring.
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.
Where is ‘Alligator Alcatraz’?
“Alligator Alcatraz” is located on about a 39-mile vacant site at the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport in Ochopee, Florida. The abandoned airport is used as a training facility for “commercial pilots, private training, and a small number of military touch-and-goes,” according to the Miami International Airport.
Contributing: Melina Khan, USA TODAY
Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@usatoday.com.
This story was updated to add locator map of migrant center.
