Florida National Guard troops to offer security in 'Alligator Alcatraz' starting next week

Ana Ceballos, Miami Herald on Jun 26, 2025

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MIAMI — The Florida National Guard is deploying roughly 100 soldiers next week to help secure Alligator Alcatraz, an immigration detention center deep in the Everglades that is expected to open July 1.

Troops will help secure the entry points and perimeter of the facility, which is currently being built to hold hundreds of detained immigrants in heavy-duty tents and trailers. While the plan as of Thursday is to mobilize up to 100 troops to the site, the number could increase in the future, said Brittianie Funderburk, a spokesperson for the Florida National Guard.

“We don’t have a set timeline for this mission due to the fluid nature of the situation, but we will stay on the ground for as long as we’re needed and at the direction of Governor DeSantis,” Funderburk said in an email Thursday.

The deployment of troops to the site is one part of a major undertaking by the state to build and operate an immigration detention facility in a matter of days. On Wednesday, Florida Highway Patrol troopers were also told they will need to help man the gates at the facility for at least the next 30 days.

In addition to security, the state has enlisted the help of dozens of private companies to help erect a small grid of tents and trailers with on-site medical services, a kitchen and portable restrooms — where workers and detainees will be spending their days during the months ahead.