Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Nikki Fried slammed Gov. Ron DeSantis and Attorney General James Uthmeier on Tuesday for following through on the state's plan to construct an illegal alien detention facility on an abandoned airfield in the Everglades, dubbed "Alligator Alcatraz."
“Governor DeSantis and Attorney General James Uthmeier are once again abusing their power — this time by hijacking Miami Dade and Collier County owned land and damaging one of the most fragile ecosystems on earth to build a 1,000-bed immigration detention facility in the heart of the Florida Everglades," Fried said.
Florida Democrats called the facility "cruel" and "environmentally catastrophic" in their response. Surrounding the airfield, the Everglades is home to a vast array of marshland and wildlife, including snakes and pythons.
The Miccosukee Tribe also pushed back on the plan, noting its proximity to tribal lands.
"This facility would desecrate ecologically critical wetlands, trample on Tribal sovereignty, and transform one of the world’s most cherished ecosystems into a prison camp for political gain," Fried said.
However, the plan appears to be moving forward.
The governor yesterday used his emergency powers to take control of the airfield from Miami-Dade County. An executive with the Florida Division of Emergency Management called the move "necessary," referring to the state's assistance with the federal government on immigration enforcement.
In February, DeSantis signed a package that included working with the federal government on illegal immigration crackdowns. Other similar measures have followed in the coming months.
Fighting back, Fried called the facility's buy nothing more than a "land grab," correlating it to political theatre as Floridians deal with skyrocketing groceries and unaffordable housing.
"We will not stand by while Ron DeSantis turns the Everglades into a deportation launchpad. Florida Democrats stand with local leaders, environmental advocates, Tribal nations, and immigrant rights organizations in saying: not here, not ever," Fried said.
