FEMA Funds For a Swamp CONCENTRATION CAMP?
A controversial plan led by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem would use FEMA disaster-relief funds to build a migrant detention center in the Everglades—surrounded by alligators and pythons—with projected costs already exceeding $1 billion.
At a Glance
Secretary Noem says Florida will receive FEMA funding to build the so-called “Alligator Alcatraz” complex
The site—a remote airstrip in the Everglades—relies on natural wildlife to deter escapes
Annual operating costs are estimated at $450 million, with reimbursements expected through FEMA’s Shelter & Services program
Critics warn this diverts disaster relief money and liken it to a “concentration camp”
The scheme echoes past proposals, including filling border moats with snakes or alligators
Wildlife-Oriented Deterrence Raises Alarm
According to The Daily Beast, Noem’s proposal would repurpose a defunct airfield in the Everglades into a large-scale migrant detention facility, using alligators and pythons as a natural perimeter. Noem defended the approach by saying, “you don’t need to invest much in a perimeter” when dangerous wildlife is already in place.
Funding for the project would be routed through FEMA’s Shelter and Services Program, with Noem estimating the annual operating costs at $450 million—significantly offset by federal disaster-relief reimbursements. The plan aligns with Trump-era strategies for expanding detention capacity in southern states.
Watch a report: Kristi Noem’s $1B “Alligator Alcatraz” Under Fire.
Critics Condemn the Plan
The proposal has drawn sharp criticism from civil liberties groups and lawmakers, who argue that diverting FEMA funds from natural disaster relief to controversial detention centers is both dangerous and unethical. The Daily Beast reported that opponents have labeled the site a “concentration camp” in the making—where disaster victims and migrants could face life-threatening conditions.
The plan also echoes earlier Trump-era ideas, including proposals for border moats filled with venomous snakes and alligators to deter crossings—a concept widely condemned at the time.
Budget Overruns and Policy Risks
Originally estimated at $450 million annually, projected costs have already climbed toward $1 billion, raising concerns over fiscal mismanagement and humanitarian risks. Critics argue that FEMA funding should remain dedicated to disaster response, not controversial immigration enforcement.
Legal experts warn that using dangerous wildlife as part of detention strategy may violate humane treatment standards under U.S. and international law. Environmental groups also caution that disrupting Everglades ecosystems could carry unintended consequences for both wildlife and human populations.
With rising scrutiny in Congress, the future of “Alligator Alcatraz” remains uncertain—but it has already ignited fierce debate over immigration, public spending, and the ethics of deterrence-based detention strategies.