Florida’s newly opened migrant detention center, dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz,” is facing severe challenges from millions of mosquitoes swarming the Everglades facility. The $450 million center, located 45 miles west of downtown Miami, was hastily constructed in just eight days and now serves as a deterrent against illegal immigration with its remote location surrounded by alligators, pythons, and a massive mosquito population. Are staff at risk of being affected with mosquito-borne diseases?
Overwhelming Mosquito Presence Threatens Health and Safety
The newly established migrant detention center in Florida’s Everglades has become infamous not just for its imposing security features but for an unexpected natural threat – millions of mosquitoes that have created nearly unbearable conditions. Constructed over 10 miles of swampland, the facility, nicknamed “Alligator Alcatraz” costs $450 million to operate and consists of tents and trailers surrounded by 28,000 feet of razor wire and monitored by over 200 security cameras.
Visitors and reporters have been unable to remain outdoors without extensive protective gear, with NBC6’s Hatzel Vela reporting, “You’re probably wondering why I’m wearing a hoodie and a rain jacket, and that’s because you can barely walk outside here because of the mosquitoes.” Another visitor, Yvette Lewis, was overwhelmed during her attempt to report from the site, stating, “Oh my gosh, I can’t talk, My face is full, full of mosquitoes.”
Here’s part of the video I attempted to film today outside Alligator Alcatraz. Mosquitos won🥇 pic.twitter.com/Zr4iQ6wXsw
— Joel Franco (@OfficialJoelF) July 4, 2025
Disease Concerns Mount as Experts Warn of Viral Risks
Yale epidemiologist Durland Fish has identified seven mosquito-borne viruses present in the Everglades area, including West Nile virus and Everglades virus, describing the detention facility as “mosquito heaven.” These viruses can cause severe neurological conditions and pose an especially high risk to non-native individuals who lack the antibodies that local residents may have developed over time.
State Representative Anna Eskamani, who visited the site, reported being bitten by mosquitoes despite wearing protective gear and expressed serious concerns about detainees’ exposure to these disease vectors. She observed that “the second you open up your car, your car is infested with mosquitoes” and concluded that the environment “is not built for human engagement, especially not for long periods of time.”
Anti-ICE protesters outside of Alligator Alcatraz are getting EATEN UP by mosquitoes..
🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/VIEvfHTCMM
— American AF 🇺🇸 (@iAnonPatriot) July 7, 2025
Facility Challenges and Growing Demands for Transparency
Beyond the mosquito infestation, the detention center has already faced structural challenges with water intrusion during recent storms, causing minor flooding. While Kevin Guthrie, Florida’s emergency management director, has assured that the structures are “rated for winds of 110 miles an hour or a high-end Category 2,” questions remain about the facility’s ability to withstand Florida’s harsh weather conditions while maintaining safe conditions for detainees.
Democratic lawmakers and advocacy groups are demanding transparency regarding the $450 million project, seeking details on funding sources, the number of migrants being held, and the expected duration of their stays. Several lawmakers have been blocked from entering the facility to assess conditions, prompting consideration of legal action to gain access to this taxpayer-funded detention center.
The governor’s office has provided little information about specific mosquito control measures being implemented at the site, despite Miami-Dade County’s standard practices of insecticide spraying and trap installation in surrounding areas. The CDC has stated that mosquito-borne diseases are not currently a public health concern in the area, but health experts warn this could change rapidly if proper precautions aren’t maintained.