Florida has started constructing a new migrant detention centre deep in the Everglades, a remote wetland known for its treacherous wildlife, as part of the Trump administration’s efforts to expand detention capacity.
Construction began on Tuesday for a temporary migrant detention facility in Florida’s Everglades, unofficially dubbed "Alligator Alcatraz" due to its isolated and hazardous location. The project is part of a broader push by President Donald Trump’s administration to increase detention and deportation of migrants amid rising numbers in federal custody.
Footage aired by a local NBC affiliate showed initial construction activity, including the setup of large tents and staff trailers. According to Florida officials, the facility will rely on the natural defences of the Everglades—an area populated by alligators, crocodiles, and pythons—for perimeter security, reducing the need for heavy infrastructure.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said the facility, which could cost $450 million annually, is projected to hold up to 5,000 people once fully operational. An initial capacity of 1,000 people could be reached within 30 to 60 days, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said in a recent video statement.
The number of migrants in federal immigration detention has surged from 39,000 to 56,000 since Trump returned to office. In response, DHS has allocated emergency funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s shelter and services programme—normally reserved for natural disasters—to finance much of the Everglades project.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) typically pays $165 per detainee per day, but the Everglades facility will cost around $247 per person per day if it reaches its full capacity.
The use of disaster relief funds for detention purposes has drawn criticism in the past, but DHS argues that the measure is necessary due to what it describes as a national-level immigration emergency.
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United States President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a wide-ranging phone call on Monday, creating fresh momentum to stabilise relations following last month’s meeting in South Korea.
The U.S. has formally designated the Venezuela-based criminal group known as the Cartel de los Soles as a foreign terrorist organisation (FTO), according to a notice published on Monday (24 November) in the U.S. Federal Register.
Several international airlines have suspended flights from Venezuela after the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) warned of heightened military activity and deteriorating security conditions in the country’s airspace.
Cadillac is gearing up to make its debut in Formula One in 2026, marking a significant milestone in the growing presence of U.S. companies in global sports.
The Hayli Gubbi volcano in north-eastern Ethiopia erupted on Sunday for the first time in over 12,000 years, before halting on Monday, according to the Toulouse Volcanic Ash Advisory Center.
On Monday (24 November), the U.S. formally designated Venezuela’s “Cartel de los Soles” as a foreign terrorist organisation and imposed additional terrorism-related sanctions on its members, including President Nicolás Maduro and other senior officials.
Cameras from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) on Saturday (22 November) captured Hawaii's Kilauea volcano spewing flowing lava from its crater in its latest eruption.
U.S. President Donald Trump has told his advisers that he plans to speak directly with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro according to Axios, as Washington designated him as the head of a terrorist organisation on Monday. A claim Maduro denies.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has once again expressed strong support for Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, condemning foreign interference and criticising U.S. actions in the region.
Galatasaray suffered a 1-0 defeat at home to Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise in the fifth round of the UEFA Champions League.
Beijing on Tuesday denied claims that it “detained or harassed” a resident from the disputed India-China border region at Shanghai airport, while reaffirming its claim over Arunachal Pradesh, which China refers to as Zangnan.
The Hayli Gubbi volcano in Ethiopia’s Afar region erupted on Sunday morning (23 November), covering nearby villages in ash.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Tuesday that Ukraine needs “more support now” and confirmed that the UK will send additional air defence missiles in the coming weeks.
On Monday (24 November), the U.S. formally designated Venezuela’s “Cartel de los Soles” as a foreign terrorist organisation and imposed additional terrorism-related sanctions on its members, including President Nicolás Maduro and other senior officials.
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