Latest news with #AlligatorAlcatraz
Toronto Sun
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Toronto Sun
‘NOWHERE TO RUN': Florida pitches 'Alligator Alcatraz' to detain illegal immigrants
Herd of crocodiles enjoying the sun in everglades national park Getty Images Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has proposed that a new detention centre be built in his state to assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as they carry out mass deportation efforts under the Trump administration. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The Republican posted a video on X showcasing a large swath of land — 39 square miles — owned by Miami-Dade County. The 'virtually abandoned airport facility' also happens to be in the middle of the Everglades, surrounded by alligators and pythons — hence, why Uthmeier has dubbed the potential space 'Alligator Alcatraz.' He noted on the video that it would have the capacity to 'house as many as 1,000 criminal aliens,' and it could be up and running within as little as 30 to 60 days. 'Florida's been leading on immigration enforcement, supporting the Trump administration and ICE's efforts to detain and deport criminal aliens,' the AG said in the clip. 'The government tasked state leaders to identify places for new temporary detention facilities,' he continued. 'I think this is the best one. As I call it, Alligator Alcatraz.' Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Uthmeier boasted the the massive plot of land offers an 'efficient, low-cost opportunity to build a temporary detention facility because you don't need to invest that much in the perimeter,' which has alligators and pythons 'waiting' for anyone who manages to escape. 'Nowhere to go, nowhere to hide,' he added. Uthmeier concluded: 'Alligator alcatraz, we're ready to go.' While many supported the idea, calling it 'fantastic' and a 'great solution,' others questioned who would pay for it and who would eat the cost for housing them. RECOMMENDED VIDEO ICE migrant detention centres are currently overwhelmed with about 53,000 illegal immigrants under the Trump administration's latest push — far beyond what is funded by Congress. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The agency is blowing through its budget, with ICE $1 billion over budget, Axios reported. It's unknown what the White House thinks of Alligator Alcatraz but it appears the Department of Homeland Security in on board with the offer, reposting Uthmeier's video on X. Read More 'ALLIGATOR ALCATRAZ,' the department wrote, before noting the delegation of certain immigration enforcement powers to state and local law enforcement agencies by ICE. 'Under 287g authority, state and local law enforcement can now assist with immigration functions, including: arrests, transportation, and detention. 287g is a force multiplier in completing the President's mission and making America safe again.' World Columnists World Toronto & GTA MMA
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Republican lawmaker sparks outrage with plan for ICE facility surrounded by alligator-filled moat
A Republican lawmaker from Florida, Attorney General James Uthmeier, has shocked many people with a wild new idea. He wants to build an immigrant detention center in the middle of the Everglades, surrounded by a moat full of alligators. He's calling it 'Alligator Alcatraz', and says it would help carry out mass deportations for ICE. The plan has sparked outrage and strong reactions from both supporters and critics, as per reports. He shared the idea on X in a short 1-minute video. Uthmeier said the Miami-Dade Collier Training Facility is a good place for this, it's 39 square miles and not being used much. He said it could hold 1,000 migrants within 1–2 months. He said it's cheap because they wouldn't need a big fence, alligators and pythons act like natural guards. His words, 'People get out, there's not much waiting for them other than alligators and pythons. Nowhere to go, nowhere to hide', as stated by Newsweek. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 'Swing is King': Mr. Hemant's Strategy Finally Explained in Free Session TradeWise Learn More Undo He strongly supports Trump's immigration and deportation plans, and said Florida will keep helping. 'This presents a great opportunity for Florida to work with Miami-Dade and Collier counties,' he said. The Department of Homeland Security reposted Uthmeier's video and seems to agree with the plan. DHS posted on X, " ALLIGATOR ALCATRAZ " will help state and local law enforcement arrest and detain immigrants under the 287g Program. Florida has 43% of all 287g ICE agreements in the U.S., followed by Texas with 14%, as stated in the report by Newsweek. Live Events What are people saying Tom Homan, Trump's former border chief, praised Trump: said the U.S. had the most secure border ever, and only 95 illegal border crossings were reported in 24 hours. Rep. Maxwell Frost, Democrat from Florida, said Trump's immigration plan is a 'taxpayer-funded kidnapping operation.' Sen. Alex Padilla, Democrat from California, said Trump's ICE is not focused on criminals, but going after families and taxpayers, according to the report by Newsweek. FAQs Q1. What is 'Alligator Alcatraz'? A proposed ICE detention center in the Everglades, surrounded by alligators. Q2. Who is planning the alligator moat ICE facility? Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, a Republican.
New York Post
a day ago
- Politics
- New York Post
Florida offers Trump ‘alligator Alcatraz' to detain illegal migrants
Illegal migrants could soon be held in a massive new immigration detention centre in Florida, which has been dubbed the 'Alligator Alcatraz.' The 39-square-mile plot of land — which is surrounded by alligators and pythons — was offered to the Trump administration by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier. The 'virtually abandoned airport facility' would have the capacity to 'house as many as 1,000 criminal aliens,' Uthmeier said in a video sharing his offer with the White House. Advertisement He added that it could be up and running within as little as 30 to 60 days. 3 Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier offered 'alligator Alcatraz' for Trump to use as part of his mass deportation effort. @AGJamesUthmeier/X 'Florida's been leading on immigration enforcement, supporting the Trump administration and ICE's efforts to detain and deport criminal aliens,' the AG said. 'The government tasked state leaders to identify places for new temporary detention facilities.' Advertisement 'I think this is the best one. As I call it, alligator Alcatraz,' he added. 3 The plot of land is surrounded by swampland with alligators and pythons. @AGJamesUthmeier/X 3 The 39-square-mile site has a 10,500-foot runway and is surrounded by the Everglades. @AGJamesUthmeier/X Advertisement The massive plot of land offers an 'efficient, low-cost opportunity to build a temporary detention facility because you don't need to invest that much in the perimeter,' which has alligators and pythons 'waiting' for anyone who escapes, said Uthmeier. 'Alligator alcatraz, we're ready to go,' he declared. ICE migrant detention centers are currently filled to the brim, holding roughly 53,000 illegal migrants under the Trump administration's latest push, which is beyond what is funded by Congress. As a result, the agency is burning through its budget at a breakneck pace — with ICE already $1 billion over budget, Axios reported Monday. Advertisement Congress funded roughly 41,500 ICE detention beds at a cost of roughly $3.4 billion in fiscal year 2024, according to the American Immigration Lawyers Association. If Republicans' 'Big Beautiful Bill' passes the Senate, ICE will have $45 billion to expand its capacity to detain illegal migrants, according to the Economic Policy Institute. The White House has also upped ICE's daily arrest quota from 1,800 to 3,000, which ICE insiders told the Post is shifting the focus away from criminal migrants and tanking agency morale.
