Remote facility to host deportation processing draws national attention
A newly authorized migrant detention center located in the remote Everglades region of South Florida has drawn national focus following its rapid development and an upcoming visit by former President Donald Trump.
Isolated site to support deportation logistics
The facility, established at the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport, was approved by the Department of Homeland Security and is being implemented under emergency powers granted to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. Composed primarily of tents and trailers, the center is expected to open with around 5,000 beds in early July, with long-term capacity set at 10,000 beds.
State officials emphasize the strategic benefits of the site’s isolation and direct access to an 11,000-foot runway for deportation flights. The governor noted that the natural geography provides enhanced security.
Indigenous and environmental opposition
The project has faced criticism from Native American groups, environmental advocates, and immigrant rights organizations. The Miccosukee and Seminole tribes, whose traditional villages lie near the site, have voiced opposition, arguing that the facility disrupts sacred ancestral lands.
Environmental groups have raised concerns about the potential impact on the fragile Everglades ecosystem, which houses endangered species and provides essential water resources to the region. Two organizations have filed a lawsuit claiming that the project lacks a federally mandated environmental assessment and public input process.
Emergency planning amid hurricane season
With Florida’s hurricane season underway, state officials have indicated that evacuation protocols are being developed to ensure the safety of individuals housed at the temporary facility in the event of severe weather.
