“No Escape in the Swamp”: Florida’s Shocking Plan to Build Massive Immigration Detention Center in the Everglades

Florida is turning up the heat on illegal immigration — and it’s doing it in the middle of a swamp. Literally.

In a move that has stunned both immigration advocates and critics alike, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced a bold new proposal this week: the construction of the state’s largest immigration detention facility — right in the heart of the Everglades.

The controversial proposal would convert a large, currently unused parcel of state-owned marshland into a high-security detention complex. If approved, it would be the first major facility of its kind located inside a national wetland reserve.

And the message from Florida’s leadership is clear: illegal immigrants will be detained, processed, and deported — with no escape route through the swamps.

“There’ll be no way out,” Uthmeier told reporters Wednesday. “Unless you feel like taking your chances with the alligators and the pythons.”

A Detention Center in the Wild?

The proposed site lies deep within the fringes of the Everglades, a region famous for its treacherous terrain, vast waterways, and deadly wildlife. State officials argue the remote location serves two purposes: it dissuades escape attempts and removes the detention facility from residential or tourist-heavy areas.

Preliminary designs reveal a heavily fortified structure, surrounded by natural barriers, equipped with flood-proof infrastructure and monitored round-the-clock by surveillance drones and motion-sensing perimeter defenses.

According to Uthmeier, the center would house up to 5,000 individuals at a time and would serve as a “hub for rapid processing and removal” under Florida’s intensified immigration enforcement laws.

Political Symbolism or Practical Policy?

The announcement comes on the heels of a series of hardline immigration measures passed in Florida, including a state-run deportation initiative and increased penalties for employers hiring undocumented workers. Governor Ron DeSantis, widely known for his tough stance on immigration, has remained quiet on the proposal — for now.

But Uthmeier insists the facility is not about symbolism.

“We’re not sending a message — we’re sending people home,” he said. “We’re taking what the federal government refuses to do and making it real in Florida.”

The Biden administration, which has clashed repeatedly with DeSantis over immigration enforcement, declined to comment on the proposal.

Public Backlash and Environmental Concerns

Not surprisingly, the plan has triggered immediate backlash from immigration rights groups, civil liberties advocates, and environmentalists.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) slammed the proposal as “morally bankrupt and legally questionable,” warning it would create a humanitarian crisis in an area already vulnerable to climate extremes.

Environmental groups, meanwhile, are sounding alarms about the ecological toll of building such a facility in one of the most fragile ecosystems in the world.

“This is not just a human rights issue — it’s an environmental disaster waiting to happen,” said Rachel Morgan of Everglades Forever, a local nonprofit. “This land is home to endangered species. Paving it over for prison bars is madness.”

Supporters Say It’s Time to Get Tough

Despite the outrage, some Floridians support the move, arguing that illegal immigration is costing the state billions in public resources and security.

“People say it’s harsh, but what’s harsher is lawlessness,” said Luis Herrera, a Miami resident and former ICE agent. “This will send a strong signal that we mean business.”

Others say the location is strategic and effective.

“You want to discourage people from crossing illegally? Put the holding center where there’s no easy escape. No back alleys. Just gators,” joked one state lawmaker.

Legal Challenges Likely

Legal experts say the proposal will almost certainly face lawsuits. Constitutional concerns, federal immigration authority preemption, and environmental violations are all on the table.

“It’s bold, but it’s also a legal minefield,” said constitutional attorney Maya Rios. “You’re talking about detaining thousands of people in the middle of a swamp under state authority. This will go to court.”

Still, proponents seem undeterred.

“We’re ready to fight,” Uthmeier said. “If Washington won’t protect our borders, Florida will.”

What Comes Next?

The state legislature is expected to review the proposal in an emergency session next month. Meanwhile, site assessments are underway, and private contractors are reportedly being vetted for construction bids.

While the idea of building a high-security detention center in a swamp may sound like something out of a dystopian novel, Florida officials insist it’s not just theater — it’s the future of immigration enforcement in the state.

As debates rage on, one thing is certain: the battle over immigration in Florida is headed into uncharted — and swampy — territory.