Emails Newly released emails show that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ administration blindsided local officials in southwest Florida with its rapid and secretive construction of a massive immigration detention center—nicknamed “Alligator Alcatraz”—in the heart of the Everglades. The sprawling facility was built under an emergency executive order that allowed the state to seize land, skip local zoning approvals, and bypass environmental regulations, all while keeping local authorities in the dark.
Emails From June 21 to July 1, over 100 emails obtained through a public records request by the Associated Press reveal a flurry of confusion, frustration, and disbelief among Collier County officials. While state agencies were already moving contractors and equipment into place, local leaders were still trying to confirm whether the project even existed.
Emails Local Officials Caught Off Guard
Emails The site—a remote airstrip in Collier County known as the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport—is owned by Miami-Dade County but sits within the jurisdiction of Collier County. The facility, designed to detain thousands of migrants, sprang up in just days. Its isolated location and bleak nickname, a nod to the infamous federal prison on Alcatraz Island, seemed intended to send a harsh message to undocumented immigrants.
Emails However, the speed and secrecy of the project created chaos on the ground. On June 21, Collier County Commissioner Rick LoCastro first heard about the detention center not from the state, but through a resident’s email.
The county’s planning and zoning director, Michael Bosi, confirmed no such request had come through official channels, stating, “I am unaware of any land use petitions proposing a detention center in the Everglades.”
Emergency Powers Fast-Tracked Construction
The facility was built under an executive order signed by DeSantis in 2023 and extended since. The order gives the state broad authority to suspend “any statute, rule, or order” deemed to slow the response to what DeSantis labeled an “immigration emergency.” Critics say the governor abused his power to bypass laws and circumvent local oversight.
Kevin Guthrie, director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM), assured county officials in an email that the state intended to “work collaboratively” with local governments. However, his vague references to the site being used for “future emergency response” didn’t clarify its actual purpose.
Even as state officials claimed they were only surveying the land, they were already coordinating active construction. “Not cool!” responded Collier County Emergency Management Director Dan Summers, who accused FDEM of leaving him in the dark.
“It’s a Collier County site. I am on your team,” Summers wrote. “How about the courtesy of some coordination?”
Confusion, Rumors, and “Egg on My Face”
On June 23, Summers sought clarity ahead of a Board of County Commissioners meeting. He emailed FDEM asking whether the plans were still conceptual. “Rumor is operational today…???” he asked.
Local first responders in Collier County were alarmed, unsure of who would have jurisdiction in an emergency.
Fire Chief Chris Wolfe expressed concern about preparation and responsibilities, asking county officials, “How are we going to prepare for this that is clearly within the jurisdiction of Collier County?”
“Not Our Circus, Not Our Monkeys”
Meanwhile, local emergency leaders turned to news outlets for updates in the absence of communication from Tallahassee. “Keep them coming,” Summers wrote to the county’s communications director in response to a news article. “It’s crickets from Tally at this point.”
Concerned about potential fallout on tourism, officials closely monitored national and international media coverage, which spread quickly from Florida outlets to major global publications.
A Rapid Buildout With Political Connections
In just ten days, the site was transformed from an abandoned airstrip with little infrastructure to a functioning detention facility with tents, trailers, and support systems. Trucks hauled in portable toilets, asphalt, and equipment around the clock.
Several companies that won multimillion-dollar construction contracts had ties to political donors who supported DeSantis and other top Republicans.
Despite mounting questions and public criticism, the project pushed forward. On July 1, Governor DeSantis, former President Donald Trump, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and other high-profile officials visited the newly opened compound for a tour.
One county emergency staffer, eager to gain insight, asked to be included in a site visit.
Legal Challenges and Environmental Backlash
The project has already sparked legal backlash. Environmental groups have filed a federal lawsuit, arguing that the DeSantis administration violated environmental and zoning laws in fast-tracking the facility. The construction took place in a sensitive area of the Everglades, known for its fragile ecosystem and protected status.
LoCastro, who received vague notification about the site purchase but not its purpose, forwarded it to the county attorney with confusion: “Not sure why they would send this to me?”
Summers had previously described the site as “wet and mosquito-infested” with only a few equipment barns and a mobile home office—hardly suitable for a massive detention complex. Yet, it now houses thousands.
Moving Forward
With the facility now operational, local agencies continue to seek clarity on their role. Communication with the state remains spotty. The state has yet to fully disclose its long-term plans for the site or how it intends to handle the logistical challenges it has created for local authorities.
As the dust settles, Collier County officials are still trying to process how a major federal-style detention center came to life in their backyard—without a single public hearing, vote, or official notice.