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Emigration and immigration

Florida's Detention Center Plan Sparks Outrage as Democrats and Environmentalists Speak Out

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Florida's plan to build a temporary detention center in the Florida Everglades for undocumented immigrants has sparked widespread outrage from Democrats and environmentalists. The state, with approval from the Department of Homeland Security, will use the Miami Dade Collier Training and Transition Airport as the location for the facility, which will be funded in large part by the FEMA Shelter and Services Program. Governor Ron DeSantis will use emergency powers to take control of the facility, overriding the county's concerns over the cost of purchasing the land. The facility will have the capacity for up to 1,000 beds and is expected to be operational within 30 to 60 days.

Key Takeaways:

  • The state of Florida will use the Miami Dade Collier Training and Transition Airport as the location for the temporary detention center, which will be funded in part by the FEMA Shelter and Services Program.
  • Governor Ron DeSantis will use emergency powers to take control of the facility, overriding the county's concerns over the cost of purchasing the land, which was initially offered at $190 million.
  • The facility will have the capacity for up to 1,000 beds and is expected to be operational within 30 to 60 days.
  • The plan has sparked widespread outrage from Democrats, with Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried calling it "cruel" and "environmentally catastrophic."
  • U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost described the plan as "kidnapping, brutalizing, starving, and harming every single immigrant they can" and called those who support it "disgusting excuses for human beings."
  • State Rep. Dan Daley criticized Attorney General James Uthmeier for spending time on the "right-wing podcast circuit" instead of doing his job.
  • The Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission manages 24,960-acre property, with approximately 225 acres remaining undeveloped.

Statistics:

  • 39 square miles: the area occupied by the Miami Dade Collier Training and Transition Airport.
  • 24,960 acres: the total area managed by the Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission.
  • 225 acres: the approximate area remaining undeveloped.
  • 900 acres: the developed area of the airport.
  • $190 million: the initial price tag offered by Miami-Dade County for the state to purchase the land.
  • 291,800: the number of views the initial post by Attorney General James Uthmeier on X has garnered in the last five days.

Sources:

  • (https://x.com/Sec_Noem/status/1937305539370713168)
  • (https://www.miami-airport.com/dade_collier.asp)
  • (https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/04/29/u-s-judge-slams-state-ag-for-calling-courts-block-on-immigration-law-illegitimate/)
  • (https://floridaphoenix.com/2025/05/29/ice-raids-fsu-college-town-construction-site-buses-away-workers/)
  • (https://floridaphoenix.com/2023/05/25/with-debt-default-as-soon-as-a-week-away-u-s-house-jets-off-for-holiday-break/)
  • (https://floridaphoenix.com/donate/?oa_referrer=midstorybox)

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