Trump Tours ‘Alligator Alcatrez’ as Controversy Grows in Everglades

Trump Tours ‘Alligator Alcatrez’ as Controversy Grows in Everglades

OCHOPEE, Fla. — President Donald Trump visited the controversial migrant detention facility known as Alligator Alcatrez yesterday, touring the site and meeting with officials as protests from environmental groups and Indigenous leaders continued outside the perimeter.

Nicknamed for its remote, swampy setting and the surrounding alligator-filled waters, the site is built deep within the Everglades on land that was once planned for the now-defunct 1960s Everglades Jetport.

🐊 A Swamp Fortress with a History

The facility, officially classified as a temporary migrant detention center, is designed to house individuals awaiting deportation. Critics have likened its isolation and barbed wire fencing to a modern-day Alcatraz—hence the nickname.

Trump arrived on site around 10 a.m. and took a private tour of the facility with local and state officials. Around 11 a.m., he participated in a closed-door roundtable focused on border enforcement and immigration policy.

Voices of Protest

Nearby residents and tribal leaders strongly objected to the visit and the center itself. Mae’anna Osceola-Hart, a Miccosukee–Seminole descendant who lives near the site, spoke out during a peaceful protest:

Environmentalists say the compound threatens wetland ecosystems and migratory wildlife paths, while Indigenous groups call it another example of federal disregard for ancestral lands.

What State Officials Say

Florida officials aligned with Trump insisted the facility is safe, temporary, and necessary. Governor Ron DeSantis, though not present, issued a statement supporting the operation, claiming the state “must lead where the federal government fails.”

Still, tensions remain. Several advocacy groups say lawsuits are on the table, and protests are expected to continue throughout the week.

🔎 Why It Matters to Naples

• Environmental Spillover: The facility sits upstream from sensitive water flow areas that impact Naples’ ecosystems.

• Cultural Significance: Local tribes argue their voices were ignored during planning—setting a precedent that worries many.

• Political Spotlight: Trump’s visit draws national media attention right into Collier County’s backyard.

What’s Next?

• Tribal representatives are pushing for federal review.

• Environmental watchdogs say they’ll seek an injunction.

• Alligator Alcatrez isn’t going away quietly—and this story is far from over.