By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Under the Trump administration, efforts are underway to rapidly execute mass deportations of criminal illegal aliens through cost-effective measures. A new detention facility is planned for construction at the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport in Florida, which is estimated to hold 1,000 people and be operational within a matter of weeks. The facility’s operation will cost approximately $450 million annually. However, the mayor of Miami-Dade County has raised concerns about the potential environmental impact on the Everglades ecosystem.
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Alligator Alcatraz: Florida has begun building a detention centre in the Everglades, and honestly, when I first heard about it, I thought it was a joke. But then again, given the current climate, maybe that’s the perfect tagline for a movie about this year. The very name, “Alligator Alcatraz,” conjures up images of something out of a dystopian thriller, and the fact that it’s being built in the Florida Everglades only adds to the surreal nature of the situation.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has said the facility will be primarily funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) shelter and services program. This program, originally designed to provide aid to undocumented migrants, is now being repurposed to construct a detention center. The irony of using FEMA funds, which are meant to help Floridians recover from natural disasters, to effectively build a prison in a swamp is not lost on me, and I think it should be a concern for everyone.
The political undertones are hard to ignore. It’s a story of politics, where FEMA funds are being used to deny due process to individuals who may not speak English fluently. This, coupled with the history of Trump’s political strategies, where he was previously accused of misusing FEMA funds, further fuels the suspicion. It’s unsettling to consider the implications, particularly in a state like Florida, prone to devastating hurricanes.
Given the Everglades’ susceptibility to extreme weather events, the location choice raises serious questions. Will detainees be evacuated during approaching storms? Considering the state of FEMA, including its potential defunding, the idea of evacuating a detention center during a hurricane seems unlikely at best. The thought process beyond concentrating victims in regions that are susceptible to such extreme weather events is disturbing.
This isn’t just a matter of building a detention center; it’s the location in the Everglades, the potential for-profit, private ownership, and the impact on vulnerable individuals. There’s a very real risk that this facility could become something far worse, and this situation has already been called a death camp. The prospect of these detainees being subjected to the harsh conditions of the Everglades, with its mosquitoes and challenging climate, is deeply troubling.
The financial aspect is also important to acknowledge. The diversion of taxpayer money into a facility that is most likely for-profit seems like a waste of funds. Additionally, the impact on the local environment and the potential for ethical abuses within a privately-run detention center need serious consideration. The project also seems destined to take as long to construct as the border wall, and will be just as ironic.
The idea of a “Final Solution,” with a giant concrete structure in sensitive wetlands, is an extreme, but valid concern. This detention center will be surrounded by alligators, further emphasizing the hostile environment it’s built in. The potential for suffering and loss of life, both during normal operations and in the event of a hurricane, is very troubling.
The situation is a stark reminder of how politics and policy can intersect to create a scenario that is both morally questionable and potentially dangerous. The repurposing of FEMA funds, the choice of location, and the potential for human rights abuses combine to create a picture that’s alarming and definitely not a joke. The potential for exploitation and suffering within this facility, and the implications for those detained there, should be a matter of serious concern for everyone.