Critics of Alligator Alcatraz discuss the facility's ability to repel Florida weather, and lawmakers in Florida consider a veto override of HB 1445.

'Alligator Alcatraz' supporters respond to criticism of the site's building integrity

Florida’s new immigration detention center could receive its first detainees Wednesday.

One day after President Donald Trump and Gov. Ron DeSantis toured what’s been nicknamed "Alligator Alcatraz," critics called it an inhumane makeshift prison camp, and have condemned what they fear will be negative environmental impacts to the surrounding land.

Supporters say it’s a national model for aggressively ramping up of detention and deportation efforts.

“Well, clearly it’s not built to withstand a hurricane, but we’ll deal with that if it happens,” Rep. Randy Fine said. “The No. 1 value of 'Alligator Alcatraz' is to tell illegal immigrants it’s time to go home. We can deport them, or they can deport themselves. And it’s estimated a million illegal immigrants have already left. So we’re showing them what will befall them if they don’t leave, and hopefully this will get them to pack up and go home.”

Seven of Florida’s eight Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives sent a letter to the governor today, where they urged the state to, “Immediately reverse course, halt construction activity, and fully withdraw the proposal to establish any detention facility at the Dade-Collier site.”

DeSantis announced Tuesday he was considering a possible third location for another immigration detention facility.

“If we were to do another, it would probably be somewhere in the panhandle, because that would probably cover everybody,” he said.

That would be in addition to the now-open site at Alligator Alcatraz, and a second planned in North Florida at Camp Blanding, a training base for the Florida National Guard.

“Response for proposals is out for that today. It closes — I can’t remember what day of the week it is — but it closes Wednesday at 5 o’clock. Then we will do notice to proceed, so I would say right after our wonderful Independence Day, we will be starting construction there at that facility,” Executive Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management Kevin Guthrie said.

DeSantis suggested that the Camp Blanding facility could hold about 2,000 detainees, compared to the anticipated 5,000 detainee capacity of 'Alligator Alcatraz.'

Rep. Byron Donalds was at yesterday’s event. He described the effort to stand up this facility so quickly as just the latest example of the state’s power to get things done.

“This is a logistical marvel when something like this occurs," he said. "We’ve seen Florida Department of Emergency Management answer the bell time and time again. The governor has said we need to accomplish this, and then get that job done.

"And we had a side conversation — I know there were some concerns. People were like, ‘What happens if a hurricane comes? What happens if this happens?’ and I looked at Kevin Guthrie and said, ‘You already have a plan don’t you?’ And he goes, ‘Of course we have a plan, you know that we do.’ This is what Florida does."

Donalds’ presence is notable given his candidacy for Florida Governor in 2026.

He has already been endorsed by the president.

There has been speculation, though, that Casey DeSantis, the governor’s wife, could consider running in the Republican primary against Donalds.

DeSantis has yet to formally announce her interest in the job.

Lawmakers consider a possible veto override of DeSantis

Florida lawmakers are considering an effort to override one of Gov. Ron DeSantis' vetoes.

This week, DeSantis vetoed House Bill 1445, which would have implemented some new restrictions on state employees soliciting contributions for political parties, candidates, or committees.

Republican Florida Rep. Juan Porras was on Matt Gaetz’s show on the OAN network, and said if there is any bill the Legislature would override, it would be that one.

“I think unanimously we agreed that the governor’s staff and people in the executive should not be lobbying other companies or even other lobbyists for political donations," Porras said. "Especially coming into a very hot election year, with the governor’s race, with several races for state cabinet offices open. We agreed that if there is a rule for legislators and politicians that we should not be able to fundraise during session, that same rule and law should be applied to the governor’s staff and his team. In my opinion, it is irresponsible that the governor decided to veto this — I think it looks bad on his part."

In order for a veto override to take place, the Senate would have to agree.

But again, the bill passed the House and Senate with an overwhelming majority.

Chair of the Florida Democratic Party Nikki Fried released a statement addressing the governor’s vetoes.

“This budget wasn’t about fiscal responsibility, it was about political theater. Floridians deserve better than a headline-chasing executive who treats the budget like a personal vendetta list,” Fried said. “He even vetoed a bipartisan bill that passed nearly unanimously that would have curbed his ability to use public office for political gain, and stopped his staff from soliciting campaign contributions.”