Alligator Alcatraz is a federally funded, state-run immigration detention facility located deep in the Florida Everglades within the Big Cypress National Preserve. Officially known as the South Florida Detention Facility, it opened in 2025 under the administration of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Attorney General James Uthmeier. The facility's nickname, "Alligator Alcatraz," reflects both the local alligator population and the infamous Alcatraz prison, symbolizing its high-security and remote nature[3]. The center was rapidly constructed with significant contracts awarded to companies such as SLSCO, LTD., which received approximately $19.7 million for construction services, and GardaWorld, an international security firm brought in to provide armed guards and security operations. GardaWorld is a Canadian-founded private security giant with a broad portfolio, including armored transport and government contracts worldwide, making them a key player in the facility’s operation[1][2][6]. Alligator Alcatraz has been highly controversial since its announcement. Environmental groups, civil liberties organizations, and the Miccosukee Tribe have filed lawsuits against the facility, challenging its environmental impact, treatment of detainees, and infringement on indigenous lands. The U.S. legal system temporarily halted its construction and detainee transfers in August 2025, although this injunction was later stayed by an appellate court[3]. The facility exemplifies the growing detention-industrial complex, where private contractors profit from immigration enforcement. It has been criticized for alleged inhumane conditions and opaque detainee management, with reports indicating uncertainty about the whereabouts of many detainees by late 2025[4][3]. The project’s rapid development and operational secrecy have sparked national debates about immigration policies and the ethics of privatized detention services. In sum, Alligator Alcatraz stands as a stark example of the intersection between government immigration enforcement, private security firms, and contested environmental and human rights concerns, making it a significant and contentious development in U.S. detention