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.
U.S. President Donald Trump has likened American strikes on Iranian nuclear sites to the end of World War Two, claiming the operation ended the Iran-Israel conflict despite intelligence assessments suggesting limited impact.
U.S. mortgage interest rates saw slight changes last week as applications for refinancing increased, even though home purchase applications dipped.
The United States is not planning to impose additional sanctions on Russia for now, aiming instead to keep diplomatic channels open to pursue a peace deal, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Iran is now "much further away from a nuclear weapon" following recent U.S. airstrikes on Tehran’s nuclear sites, contradicting reports that the damage only caused minor delays.
Turkmenistan’s Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a phone conversation on Thursday (24 June), exchanging views on a broad range of bilateral and international issues.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday called on the European Union to strengthen trust and cooperation with China, saying the two sides should focus on mutual success rather than rivalry.
Kazakhstan's e-commerce sector has soared to 3.2 trillion tenge (around 6.2 billion U.S. dollars) in 2024, marking a sevenfold increase since 2020, according to Deputy Prime Minister Serik Jumanğarin.
Rafael Mariano Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said Iran’s cooperation with the agency is not optional but a legal requirement.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday signed an agreement with the Council of Europe to establish a special tribunal to address the "crime of aggression" related to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
U.S. President Donald Trump has likened American strikes on Iranian nuclear sites to the end of World War Two, claiming the operation ended the Iran-Israel conflict despite intelligence assessments suggesting limited impact.
Iran launched 18 ballistic missiles late Sunday targeting the U.S. military’s Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest American installation in the Middle East.
Iranian missiles struck multiple locations across Israel and neighbouring regions early Friday morning, including a Microsoft office complex, according to emergency responders and local media reports.
A high-speed tram derailment in central Gothenburg, Sweden, has left at least eight people injured late on Thursday (19 June), after the vehicle slammed into a snack bar on Avenyn Avenue.
Wizz Air has suspended all flights to and from Tel Aviv, Israel, and its European services to Amman, Jordan, effective immediately until 15 September due to escalating situation in the Middle East. Also, the air carrier temporarily suspended its flights between Astana, Kazakhstan, and Abu Dhabi.
China has unveiled a mosquito-sized bionic drone designed for covert military operations and battlefield reconnaissance, marking a major advance in micro-robotics and stealth technology as part of the country’s growing focus on next-generation warfare capabilities.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday called on the European Union to strengthen trust and cooperation with China, saying the two sides should focus on mutual success rather than rivalry.
Rafael Mariano Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said Iran’s cooperation with the agency is not optional but a legal requirement.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday signed an agreement with the Council of Europe to establish a special tribunal to address the "crime of aggression" related to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
U.S. President Donald Trump has likened American strikes on Iranian nuclear sites to the end of World War Two, claiming the operation ended the Iran-Israel conflict despite intelligence assessments suggesting limited impact.
NATO member states have agreed to raise their defence spending target to 5% of GDP, marking a sharp increase from the previous 2% goal.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday called on the European Union to strengthen trust and cooperation with China, saying the two sides should focus on mutual success rather than rivalry.
Kazakhstan's e-commerce sector has soared to 3.2 trillion tenge (around 6.2 billion U.S. dollars) in 2024, marking a sevenfold increase since 2020, according to Deputy Prime Minister Serik Jumanğarin.
Rafael Mariano Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said Iran’s cooperation with the agency is not optional but a legal requirement.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday signed an agreement with the Council of Europe to establish a special tribunal to address the "crime of aggression" related to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
U.S. President Donald Trump has likened American strikes on Iranian nuclear sites to the end of World War Two, claiming the operation ended the Iran-Israel conflict despite intelligence assessments suggesting limited impact.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment