Photo: ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP / Getty Images
Seven Democratic members of Congress representing Florida have sent a letter to the governor opposing the construction of the temporary detention facility at the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport.
"We strongly and unequivocally oppose the construction of a temporary immigration detention facility at the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport site dubbed sarcastically as “Alligator Alcatraz” in the heart of the Everglades. We are seriously concerned about the future treatment of immigrants at this facility. It is also important that we uplift grave concerns over the environmental and tribal impacts of your decision.
The letter goes on to state that "Florida’s River of Grass is no place for a prison."
New video posted on X shows flooding from a minor rain shower as detainees are set to begin arriving today.
The concern is whether the structure would withstand a tropical storm or hurricane. Officials with Florida Emergency Management say we have a hurricane plan and in that event the facility would be evacuated.
The facility is set to open with 1,000 beds, but the state says capacity could be boosted to 3,000 beds soon.
Broward Rep. Debbi Wasserman Schultz, Lois Frankel, Darren Soto, Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, Frederica Wilson, Kathy Castor and Maxwell Frost all signed the letter.