Florida’s ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) detention center, located west of Miami in the Everglades, is surrounded by marshes teeming with dangerous wildlife: alligators, crocodiles, pythons, and mosquitoes.
Heavily criticized, the facility faces opposition from environmental groups due to its location in a sensitive ecosystem, and from humanitarian organizations denouncing what they describe as inhumane detention conditions. Activists are calling for its closure, citing appalling treatment.
Tessa Petit, Co-Executive Director of the Florida Immigration Coalition, told CBS:
“The detention conditions are unlivable. When you expose human beings to human waste in heat, in a hot environment, you propagate germs and therefore illnesses.”
Journalists and lawmakers have struggled to gain access. In early July, several elected officials visited and reported that the conditions were “inhumane.”
As of mid-July 2025, the center held around 747 detainees—both current residents and those pending transfer. Approximately a third (roughly 249 people) had no criminal record aside from immigration violations. Another 260 faced criminal charges, and around 240 had convictions for traffic offenses or more serious crimes. These numbers are approximate and based on available data, including a list of over 700 individuals detained or scheduled for transfer.
Funding for the center comes primarily from FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency), usually designated for disaster relief, such as hurricanes. The facility’s estimated annual operating budget is $450 million.
FLORIDA: EPICENTER OF THE EPSTEIN AFFAIR
Pam Bondi, former Florida Attorney General and now serving as U.S. Attorney General under Trump, reportedly informed the President in May 2025 that his name appeared several times in government files related to Jeffrey Epstein.
Epstein, accused of trafficking underage girls, died in prison in 2019.
Bondi pledged to release compromising documents, including an alleged “client list.” The White House acknowledged Trump’s name appears in the files but denied any criminal involvement. Trump responded by stating he expelled Epstein fromMar-a-Lago for inappropriate behavior and labeled the accusations “fake news,” accusing political opponents of fabricating the files.
MAGA supporters have expressed frustration with Bondi, accusing her of hiding evidence or failing to deliver on promises. Polls suggest that 60% to 70% of Florida Republicans continue to support Trump’s MAGA agenda.
DESANTIS LAUNCHES FLORIDA’S DOGE PLAN
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is rolling out the DOGE Plan (Department of Government Efficiency), targeting local governments—starting with Broward County. And it won’t stop there.
DeSantis announced the list would expand to include 10 to 15 municipalities and counties. While he acknowledged some local administrations perform well, he noted receiving many complaints from South Florida residents. He added that counties like Miami-Dade and Palm Beach, along with certain cities and smaller municipalities, are “very likely” to be added soon.
