Approximately 70 members of the Florida National Guard have been deployed to the newly established “Alligator Alcatraz,” a secure immigration detention center located deep in the Florida Everglades, as President Donald Trump increasingly relies on military support to implement his stringent immigration policies.
On Wednesday, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell confirmed that the Guardsmen, who are already armed and stationed at the site, have been assigned the responsibility of ensuring “base camp security.” The mission, part of a broader immigration enforcement surge, comes as the Trump administration faces ongoing legal challenges to its border policies and seeks new ways to detain and process undocumented migrants far from urban centers.
The facility’s remote setting—encircled by marshlands and notorious for waters teeming with alligators—has led to it being dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz” by both officials and critics. A facility was established earlier this year to function as a temporary holding and processing center for migrants captured in the Southeast.
In contrast to the recent federal mission involving the National Guard aiding ICE raids in Los Angeles, the deployment in Florida is being conducted under state directives from Gov. Ron DeSantis.
This information indicates that the Guardsmen continue to operate under DeSantis’ direct authority, rather than federal oversight, highlighting the administration’s reliance on collaboration at the state level to further federal immigration objectives.
The difference in orders highlights an emerging pattern of employing state National Guard units to augment federal immigration enforcement efforts without officially federalizing them—a strategy that circumvents limitations on the U.S. military engaging in direct law enforcement activities, as outlined by the Posse Comitatus Act.
have criticized the implementation and the establishment in question, asserting that it essentially separates detainees from their legal representatives and family members. “The isolated and dangerous setting of this site seems intentionally crafted to hinder scrutiny and complicate the ability of migrants to assert their rights,” stated Marisol Santiago from the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida.
In the meantime, state officials stood by their decision, citing security concerns as justification. “These troops are working diligently to maintain the safety of the facility, staff, and detainees in a highly challenging environment,” DeSantis’ office stated.
The deployment stands out as a significant illustration of the Trump administration’s growing militarized strategy regarding immigration enforcement, as it expands its focus beyond the southern border to address undocumented immigrants across the country.
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