U.S. President Donald Trump generated a wave of outrage on Tuesday after making derisive comments about migrants who will be moved to a new detention center in Florida, dubbed by media and activists as “Alligator Alcatraz.”
Before leaving for the state, Trump told reporters, “We’re going to teach you how to run from an alligator. Don’t run in a straight line, run like this,” making zigzag gestures with his hand. “Your chances go up about 1%,” he added with a chuckle. The words provoked strong criticism from human rights advocates, who accuse the president of dehumanizing migrants.
What is ‘Alligator Alcatraz’?
The detention center, officially called the Everglades Federal Immigration Processing Center, was built in just 15 days on a former airstrip west of Miami.
It has capacity for 5,000 migrants, as confirmed by Governor Ron DeSantis, and began operations on Tuesday.
The infrastructure is part of the anti-immigration policies that Donald Trump has reinforced in his second presidential term.
Les vamos a enseñar a huir de un caimán
The nickname “Alligator Alcatraz” alludes to both the famous San Francisco prison and the alligators that inhabit the nearby wetlands.
They are used – according to some officials – as a natural deterrent to prevent leakage.
Mockery in networks and public response
Buzzy
The Department of Homeland Security was also singled out for mocking on social networks:
Last Saturday, he shared an image on X (formerly Twitter) of several alligators wearing ICE caps in front of what looked like a prison.
The publication was labeled “offensive” and “unprofessional” by pro-immigrant organizations.
In addition to criticism for the treatment of migrants, the center has raised alarm among environmentalists.
The prison is located in a protected ecosystem, less than 40 km from the Everglades National Park, home to endangered species such as the Florida panther and the American crocodile.
Environmental groups claim that the project was approved without adequate environmental studies.
This same Tuesday, at the time of the presidential visit, dozens of demonstrators gathered near the site to demand respect for both human rights and the environment.
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