On July 1, 2025, former President Donald Trump visited the newly established immigrant detention facility in the Florida Everglades, known as “Alligator Alcatraz.” Surrounded by swamps and alligators, the facility was designed to make escape nearly impossible. During his visit, Trump joked, “If you want to escape, you’ll have to run from the alligators,” actively promoting his tough stance on immigration policy. The center can hold up to 5,000 detainees and is estimated to cost about $450 million per year to operate. Accompanied by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Trump highlighted the facility as both a practical security measure and a political statement in immigration policy.
Reactions to the facility have been sharply divided. Progressives in the U.S. criticize Alligator Alcatraz as a violation of human rights, citing extreme heat, poor sanitation, and psychological distress, arguing that it undermines human dignity. They also contend that the facility is nothing more than a political show by Trump and raise concerns about environmental destruction in the Everglades and violations of indigenous rights. In contrast, conservatives praise the facility for its strong deterrent effect, thanks to natural barriers like alligators and swamps, claiming it is a legitimate measure to block illegal immigration, protect national security, and maintain public order. They argue that, despite the high cost, such facilities help reduce broader societal expenses and preserve public safety. Many on the right believe the Florida model should be expanded nationwide and commend Trump for not just talking tough but actually putting strict immigration policies into action.
I strongly support this policy. Even if facilities like Alligator Alcatraz are controversial, I believe it is important to acknowledge that the Trump administration at least tried to implement a system to control and manage immigrants. By contrast, under the Biden administration and previous Democratic governments, there was often a lack of proper facilities to manage illegal immigrants, resulting in many being left vulnerable on roadsides, at bus terminals, and in public spaces—a situation that amounts to abandonment rather than humane management. In fact, the Obama era saw even harsher measures, with widespread family separation and mass deportations, and during the Biden administration, overflow crowds were often crammed into temporary tent camps or shelters, or left out on the streets. When considering all this, it becomes clear that while the Trump administration projected a tough image, it actually took a more systematic and orderly approach to immigration management.
The controversy surrounding the Alligator Alcatraz facility goes beyond a simple policy debate and once again forces American society to confront the fundamental question of whether security or human rights, control or integration, should take priority in the future. Despite the criticisms and concerns, I believe that orderly management and pragmatic immigration policies will, in the long run, have a more positive impact on the stability and development of American society. I hope that these discussions will continue and that the United States will move toward a more balanced approach to immigration policy.
Junhee Han
- South Korea
- Male
- 11th Grade, Williston Northampton School (Massachusetts, USA)
- Intended Major: International Politics / International Policy
- Role: Editor-in-Chief
- Introduction:I am passionate about global affairs and diplomacy, always eager to connect diverse perspectives into one cohesive vision. As Editor-in-Chief, I hope to make Lumen Review a truly international platform where youth voices inspire change. My dream is to study international politics and shape policy for a better world.