“They may start as immigration detention, but they're available to them indefinitely for whatever they want to do with those camps." Rachel Maddow on the Trump administration's plans to build 16 new processing facilities and seven new warehouse facility camps across the country for immigration detention. In the existing camps, the Trump admin. is already holding more than 73,000 people, a record number. "If they can build 23 new facilities, that will give them the space to more than double the number of peo ...

Immigration Policy & Enforcement - The Trump administration opened a new immigration detention center called "Alligator Alcatraz" in the Florida Everglades [1] - The administration aims to make immigration enforcement "scary" to encourage self-deportation [6][12] - The facility cost $450 million and is expected to house at least 3,000 people [10] - The funding for the facility comes from the same FEMA pot that was previously used to house migrants in hotels [11] - Mass deportations make it difficult to be selective about who is detained [10] Political Dynamics in Florida - The opening of the facility is seen as a way to appeal to voters who are tough on illegal immigration [5] - There is internal jockeying among Republicans for the upcoming governor's race in Florida [13] - Congressman Byron Donalds has raised $22 million for a potential run, creating tension with Governor DeSantis [13][14] - Governor DeSantis may want his wife to run for governor [14] Detention Center Conditions & Costs - The "Alligator Alcatraz" is presented as a cheaper alternative to traditional incarceration [8] - Existing detention centers, like the one in Miami, are overcrowded [7] - The criteria for who will be housed in the new facility are unclear [9]

Immigration Policy & Enforcement Concerns - The described actions in the Everglades are viewed as political theater, not genuine immigration enforcement [2] - A new facility was established using emergency powers, bypassing public input and legislative oversight [2] - Questions sent by Senate Democrats to the governor's office regarding the facility remain unanswered [3] - The Republican party of Florida is allegedly using the situation to raise money [3] - Concerns exist regarding due process for individuals detained in the facility [4] - The facility is run by the state of Florida and reimbursed by FEMA, raising questions about oversight and the source of funding [5] - The Trump administration is accused of using the situation to appear tough on crime, while dehumanizing individuals [6] - The facility is described as a detention center "alligator Alcatraz" in a remote location [7] - There are concerns that individuals who are not illegal immigrants, such as TPS holders and day laborers, may end up detained there [9] - The described actions are characterized as bullying, not enforcement [10]