MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – Environmental activists gathered Saturday outdoors the Dade-Collier Coaching and Transition Airport deep within the Florida Everglades to protest building of what they’ve dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz,” a controversial immigration detention middle that Gov. Ron DeSantis says will increase the state’s capacity to course of and deport undocumented migrants.
The demonstration, organized by the Heart for Organic Variety and Mates of the Everglades, drew dozens of protesters to the sting of Tamiami Path, not removed from the distant airstrip the place building tools rumbled previous.
Activists accused the state of dashing the venture with no thorough environmental evaluation and warned of long-term hurt to the Everglades ecosystem.
The ability, situated at a little-used airport surrounded by wetlands, is anticipated to deal with greater than 3,000 undocumented migrants. The location features a runway to permit for deportation flights and is outfitted with momentary air-con items, restrooms and showers.
DeSantis visited the positioning Friday morning, offering a tour for Fox & Friends and defending the venture as a response to what he referred to as federal inaction on immigration enforcement.
“That is going to be a spot the place DHS has stated we want assist with the house so illegals will be processed after which they are often deported proper from right here,” DeSantis stated in the course of the broadcast. “That is going to have 1000’s of illegals and it’s going to extend the flexibility to do deportations.”
DeSantis has made immigration a centerpiece of his administration’s agenda and says the ability will relieve stress on detention facilities elsewhere within the state. However environmental teams filed a federal lawsuit late final week, arguing that the state didn’t conduct an ample environmental affect examine.
The Florida Republican Social gathering has leaned into the controversy, promoting “Alligator Alcatraz” merchandise on-line and describing the ability as “surrounded by miles of swamp and bloodthirsty wildlife.” A promotional flyer learn: “This ain’t no trip spot.”
Regardless of the lawsuits and protests, DeSantis stated the primary group of detainees might arrive as quickly as subsequent week.
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