OCHOPEE—Miles from civilization in the heart of Florida’s swampland, President Donald Trump joined forces Tuesday with Gov. Ron DeSantis for the grand opening of “Alligator Alcatraz,” a controversial Everglades detention camp.
The Florida powerhouses kicked off the event with a tour of the new migrant detention facility before sitting down for a roundtable discussion.
Hosted in a heavy-duty white tent swarming with Secret Service, Trump and DeSantis spoke alongside Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, gubernatorial hopeful Rep. Byron Donalds, and Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier.
The joint event was a rare one for DeSantis, who hasn't publicly appeared with Trump or Donalds since the Congressman got the president's seal of approval to run for governor—potentially against First Lady Casey DeSantis.
"It's a great honor to be deep in the Florida Everglades to open America's newest migrant detention centers," Trump said Tuesday. "Incredibly built."
DeSantis has long lauded Florida for leading the charge on anti-illegal immigration efforts. In January, he pushed the Legislature to pass a massive bill mandating counties partner with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and allowing state police to arrest migrants illegally in Florida for state crimes.
To further the mission—and bolster his looming 2026 bid to stay Attorney General—Uthmeier concocted Alligator Alcatraz with DHS earlier this month, planning to convert the near-defunct Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport into Florida's sixth detention center for undocumented immigrants.
He touted the airport's remote location, dense swamp, and harsh wildlife as "low-cost" alternatives to guards.
"We're going to fill this place up," Uthmeier said Tuesday. "It's our natural Alcatraz."
Federal authorities greenlit the project a week after Uthmeier suggested it online.
Eight days later, it's "open for business," DeSantis said. Alligator Alcatraz, situated in Big Cypress National Preserve and bordering Everglades National Park, can hold up to 3,000 captured migrants.
There are 1,000 staff members, over 200 security cameras, 28,000 feet of barbed wire, and over 400 security personnel, officials said. They also have legal, 24/7 A/C, clergy, a recreation yard, laundry access, and 24/7 medical access. It's surrounded by at least 10 miles of Everglades on all sides.
"Why would you wanna go through Alligator Alcatraz when you could just go home on your own?" DeSantis said, praising the facility as a deterrent to illegal immigration before acknowledging the President's help.
"You highlighting this is going to move the needle in a big way."
DeSantis and Trump also noted Tuesday that they've patched up their relationship, with the President claiming that the two firebrands have "blood that seems to match very well." The two have endured a rocky road since DeSantis unsuccessfully challenged Trump for the presidency.
The negativity had persisted into Florida's upcoming 2026 gubernatorial race, when Trump endorsed Donalds. DeSantis had asked the president to either hold off on the endorsement or support First Lady DeSantis, going as far as to call donors to try and stop them from giving to Donalds' campaign.
Trump didn't listen. And DeSantis has shown no sign of thawing toward Donalds, who told The Floridian that their relationship is "fine" and "everything's a work in progress."
But as for Trump? All is forgiven—for now.
"Ron, I would like to thank you personally," Trump said. "You are my friend. We may have some skirmishes even in the future—I doubt it—but I will always come back."
