Claim via Social Media
In June 2025, social media users claimed Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier proposed building a migrant detention facility in the Everglades, nicknamed “Alligator Alcatraz.”
Explanation
This claim is true. On June 19, 2025, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier posted a video on his verified X account detailing a proposal to convert an old airport in the Everglades into a detention center for migrants. Uthmeier referred to the proposed site as “Alligator Alcatraz,” citing the surrounding Everglades wildlife—alligators and pythons—as a natural deterrent to escape.
Uthmeier described the plan as a way to support President Trump’s immigration agenda, claiming the facility could house up to 1,000 individuals and be operational within 30–60 days of starting construction. He said it would function as a detention hub, legal processing site, and deportation launch point.
The proposal was endorsed by the Florida GOP and amplified by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which referenced Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. That program allows ICE to delegate immigration enforcement authority to state and local law enforcement agencies under federal supervision. Florida currently participates in 287(g) agreements.
Uthmeier first previewed the idea during a June 17 segment on Fox Business. While the proposal is controversial, it is not a satirical fabrication—it is officially endorsed by the state’s top law enforcement officer and supported by federal agencies.
Conclusion
Fact or Fiction? Fact. James Uthmeier publicly proposed the creation of “Alligator Alcatraz,” a migrant detention center in the Everglades, and state and federal entities have acknowledged the proposal.
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Last Updated on June 22, 2025 by Media Bias Fact Check