Gov. Ron DeSantis confirmed that President Donald Trump will attend the official opening of the new "Alligator Alcatraz" detention facility on Tuesday, marking the biggest Florida-federal alignment on illegal immigration to date.
Trump will fly to Ochopee to join DeSantis at Alligator Alcatraz, the state's controversial new migrant detention facility in the Everglades, the Florida governor revealed at a Monday press conference in The Villages.
The $450 million camp was built less than a week after the Department of Homeland Security greenlit its construction, despite environmental protection groups suing in federal court. DeSantis says the federal government will reimburse most of the costs.
"I spoke with the President this weekend. He's very excited about doing it," DeSantis said, praising Trump for coming to the center to "tout what Florida's done."
"I think by tomorrow it will be ready for business!" he added.
The Palm Beach Post reported Sunday that Federal Aviation Administration records showed Trump would be in South Florida on Tuesday, the scheduled opening for Alligator Alcatraz. NBC later reported that White House officials indicated Trump was "likely" to be there.
Trump ran on a hardline, anti-illegal immigration agenda, promising the largest mass deportation in U.S history. He quickly followed through after his January inauguration, ending Temporary Protected Status for most Venezuelans and Haitians, banning certain nationals from visiting the country, and supporting the revocation of foreign visas for students supporting Hamas.
DeSantis immediately positioned himself alongside the president, forcing the Legislature—after a rare GOP battle—to pass an illegal immigration crackdown granting state and local authorities the ability to arrest and charge undocumented immigrants.
Florida has participated in various Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids statewide, including the shocking arrest of 100 construction workers in Tallahassee. So when Attorney General James Uthmeier floated "Alligator Alcatraz" less than two weeks ago, DeSantis was quick to support the endeavor and partner with federal authorities to expedite the facility's opening.
Uthmeier will join Trump and DeSantis during the grand opening tomorrow, an official familiar confirmed to The Floridian. DeSantis used his emergency powers to seize the near-defunct Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport in Ochopee, bordering the Everglades and situated in Big Cypress National Preserve.
The 39-square-mile territory with its 10,500-foot runway will use the miles of swamp, alligators, and pythons as its natural "perimeter," the Attorney General said during his pitch. "Heavy-duty" tents and trailers will be used to accommodate up to 5,000 migrants.
Critics have pointed to sweltering heat, constitutional issues, and potential damage to the Everglades ahead of Alligator Alcatraz's opening. But DeSantis swears no damage will come to Florida's largest state park.
"If I thought somehow this would hurt [the Everglades], I wouldn't do it. This facility just happened to be there," DeSantis said Monday.
