EVERGLADES, FL – Just one day after President Donald Trump’s high-profile visit to inaugurate the controversial “Alligator Alcatraz” migrant detention center in Florida’s Everglades, the facility faced minor flooding following a sudden rainstorm.
The incident, reported on Wednesday, has intensified scrutiny of the center’s rapid construction and its suitability for housing thousands of detainees, while fueling criticism from environmentalists and immigrant rights advocates. As the Trump administration doubles down on its aggressive immigration crackdown, the flooding raises questions about the facility’s operational readiness and the broader implications of its location.
Setback for a Controversial Facility
On Tuesday, President Trump toured the newly opened detention center, located at the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport, a 39-square-mile site near Big Cypress National Preserve. Accompanied by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Trump praised the facility’s swift construction, calling it a model of “government efficiency.”
However, less than 24 hours later, a storm dumped approximately 1.5 inches of rain on the site, according to the National Weather Service in Miami, causing water to seep into the facility and pool around electrical cables and flagpoles.
Video footage shared by Spectrum News reporter Jason Delgado revealed puddles inside the center, highlighting vulnerabilities in its design. The flooding, though minor, has sparked concerns about the facility’s ability to withstand Florida’s unpredictable weather, particularly given its location in the flood-prone Everglades.
Critics argue that the rushed construction—completed in just days after federal approval—may have overlooked critical infrastructure needs.
‘Alligator Alcatraz’: A Bold and Divisive Vision
Dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz” by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, the detention center is a cornerstone of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, which began in January 2025. With a pledge to deport up to 11 million undocumented immigrants, the administration has prioritized expanding detention capacity.
The Everglades facility, designed to hold 3,000 migrants, features rows of secured bunk beds surrounded by razor wire, with surrounding wetlands and wildlife, including alligators, touted as a natural barrier to prevent escapes.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) defended the center’s rapid development in a Tuesday, post on X, stating, “We are working on cost-effective and innovative ways to deliver on the American people’s mandate for mass deportations. Alligator Alcatraz will expand facilities and bed space in just days, thanks to our partnership with Florida.”
Secretary Noem echoed this sentiment, emphasizing “turbo speed” efforts to implement Trump’s deportation agenda. However, the facility’s estimated annual operating cost of $450 million has raised eyebrows, with critics questioning its cost-effectiveness given the flooding incident.
Environmental and Humanitarian Concerns
The facility has faced fierce opposition from environmentalists and immigrant rights groups. Two environmental charities have filed a lawsuit to block its operations, citing potential damage to the delicate Everglades ecosystem and its wildlife, including protected species.
The center’s proximity to Big Cypress National Preserve has heightened fears of ecological disruption, particularly given the flooding incident, which underscores the region’s vulnerability to water damage.
Immigrant rights advocates have also decried the facility’s harsh conditions and remote location, which they argue limits detainees’ access to legal representation and oversight. The use of alligators as a “natural deterrent” has drawn particular outrage, with critics calling it inhumane and symbolic of the administration’s punitive approach to immigration.
READ ALSO: Trump’s Confused ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ Remark Sparks Cognitive Decline Fears
A Question of Preparedness
Kevin Guthrie, executive director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, sought to address concerns about the flooding, telling reporters, “This is Florida, by the way. We have a hurricane plan.”
However, the incident has fueled skepticism about the facility’s readiness, especially as hurricane season looms. Critics argue that the rapid construction timeline may have compromised structural integrity, raising risks for detainees and staff alike.
On X, reactions to the flooding were swift and polarized. “Alligator Alcatraz is already a mess—flooding after one day? This is what happens when you rush a bad idea,” one user posted. Another defended the facility, writing, “A little water won’t stop Trump’s plan to secure our borders. This is a necessary step.” The debate reflects broader tensions over the administration’s immigration policies, which have dominated headlines alongside the contentious 2026 budget bill.
The Bigger Picture
The flooding at “Alligator Alcatraz” comes at a critical moment for the Trump administration, which is navigating multiple controversies, from the budget’s Medicaid cuts to the “60 Minutes” lawsuit settlement.
The detention center’s setbacks could undermine public confidence in the administration’s ability to execute its ambitious deportation agenda, particularly as legal challenges mount. The environmental lawsuit, combined with the flooding incident, may delay or complicate operations, adding pressure to an already contentious policy.
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