Why Black America Should Be Vigilant About Alligator Alcatraz

BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. — Within the Florida Everglades lies a troubling facility dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz.” Named for its California counterpart, this makeshift detention center comprises tent-covered cages and trailers on a deserted airstrip, far removed from humane standards. Detainees have expressed serious concerns about inadequate medical care, spoiled food, and substandard living conditions infested with mosquitoes. Access to legal resources is severely restricted, with officials initially barring lawyers from entering, citing technological complications. While the facility has allowed a limited number of elected officials to tour its premises, critics have labeled these visits as carefully curated tours that obscure the stark realities inside. State Senator Shevrin Jones emphasized the broader implications for marginalized communities, noting Black immigrants, especially Haitians and Jamaicans, face disproportionate scrutiny and detention. As the facility's capacity grows under the Trump administration's aggressive immigration policies, the historical parallels should not go unnoticed. Policy impacts will ripple through various marginalized groups, as history suggests.