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.
British rising star Owen Cooper has made Emmy history at just 15 years old, becoming the youngest-ever nominee in his acting category for his chilling...
Elon Musk’s xAI chatbot Grok has come under global scrutiny after users reported it using offensive language. It prompted warnings from experts that...
The world’s biggest dance music festival faces an unexpected setback as a fire destroys its main stage, prompting a last-minute response from organi...
Kazakhstan is stepping up its engagement with Afghanistan, focusing on humanitarian, educational, and economic collaboration, according to an official...
A piece of rock believed to be the largest piece of Mars on Earth has sold for $5.3 million at a geological and archaeological auction in New York on ...
A French court on Thursday ordered the release of Lebanese activist Georges Ibrahim Abdallah, who has served 40 years in prison for attacks on American and Israeli diplomats in France.
The U.S. Senate has approved President Donald Trump’s proposal to slash billions in funding for foreign aid and public broadcasting, marking another win for the Republican leader as he tightens his grip on Congress with minimal resistance.
Nearly half of 1,100 metric tonnes of emergency food rations stored in a U.S. government warehouse in Dubai will be destroyed after reaching their expiry date. The aid remained unused following a freeze on funding introduced during President Donald Trump’s administration.
Record rainfall in New York and New Jersey on Monday night brought torrential flooding, killing two people, which led New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy to declare a state of emergency.
The world’s biggest dance music festival faces an unexpected setback as a fire destroys its main stage, prompting a last-minute response from organisers determined to keep the party alive in Boom, Belgium.
China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will send an upgraded ‘version 3.0’ free-trade agreement to their heads of government for approval in October, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Saturday after regional talks in Kuala Lumpur.
Israeli researchers have unveiled an artificial intelligence tool that can determine a person’s true biological age from tiny DNA samples with remarkable precision.
Germany's export slump since 2021 is largely driven by deep-rooted competitiveness issues, the Bundesbank warned in its latest report, calling for urgent structural reforms.
Hollywood star Sydney Sweeney is reportedly the top contender to become the next Bond girl, as director Denis Villeneuve and Amazon look to modernise the James Bond franchise.
The world’s biggest dance music festival faces an unexpected setback as a fire destroys its main stage, prompting a last-minute response from organisers determined to keep the party alive in Boom, Belgium.
Slovakia has reported an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the western Trnava region, prompting quarantine measures and raising concerns among farmers, authorities said on Wednesday.
Ukraine’s newly appointed Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko announced on Thursday that her government will initiate a comprehensive audit of public finances aimed at securing “real savings” and improving the efficiency of state spending.
U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly planning a visit to Pakistan in September, according to two local television channels citing sources familiar with the matter.
The UK government plans to lower the voting age to 16, enabling approximately 1.5 million 16 and 17-year-olds to vote in the next general election.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment