(Washington) Donald Trump, visiting the “Alcatraz of the Alligators” Tuesday, a retention center built in the midst of Florida swamps, made fun of illegal immigrants who would risk in the event of an escape from being attacked by wildlife.
“We have a lot of cops in the form of alligators – you don’t need to pay them as much,” said the American president, visiting the installations in Ochopee, on the edge of the Everglades National Park. “I wouldn’t want to run long in the Everglades. It will keep people where they are supposed to be. »»
The construction – in a time chrono – of this “Alcatraz of the Alligators” unworthiness the detractors of the brutal migration policy of Donald Trump, who qualify the project of “inhuman”.
Is the idea that any fugitives are attacked by alligators or snakes? “I suppose it is the concept,” replied the Republican president in the morning, leaving towards Florida.
“The snakes are fast, but the alligators … We will teach them how to escape an alligator, ok?” He had fun. If they escape from prison, how to run away: do not run in a straight line, run like that. And what do you know? Your chances are increasing by 1 %. »»
“Dangerous and merciless”
Photo Giorgio Viera, agency France-Presse
Some 200,000 alligators, which can exceed 4 meters at their adult size, populate the Everglades National Park and make it renown.
This retention center was built at lightning speed on an old Everglades, a protected natural marshy area in the south-east of the country.
Some 3,000 places are planned there, according to the interior security secretary, Kristi Noem, who accompanied Donald Trump on Tuesday. Florida authorities had mentioned a thousand places. Its operating cost is estimated at $ 450 million a year.
Both the White House and the Local Authorities nicknamed it “Alcatraz des Alligators”, in reference to the former Prison Island of San Francisco that Donald Trump also plans to reopen-this project nevertheless seems to be at neutral after officials have notably considered that its cost is exorbitant.
Protesters opposed to the repressive migration policy of Donald Trump have gathered in front of the Florida center in recent days.
“There is only one road that leads to it, and the only outing is a return flight. The place is isolated, surrounded by a dangerous fauna and a ruthless environment, “said spokesperson for the White House Karoline Leavitt on Monday.
“Alligators and pythons”
“Why would you like to go through the Alcatraz of the Alligators if you can decide yourself to leave?” Asked the Republican Governor of Florida Ron Desantis, who welcomed Donald Trump when he arrived. “Many people will make this decision,” he said.
Some 200,000 alligators, which can exceed 4 meters at their adult size, populate the Everglades National Park and make it renown.
Alligators’ attacks on humans remain relatively rare in Florida. Between 1948 and 2022, 453 “unlikely accidental bites” were listed, including 26 deadly, according to the Florida fauna conservation commission.
But the American authorities have worked to amplify the risk.
“If people go out, there is not much who awaits them, apart from alligators and pythons,” said Florida Prosecutor James Uthmeier.
Donald Trump’s visit, who has erected the fight against immigration in absolute priority since his return to power, comes at a time when the Republican President is pushing to adopt his budgetary megaproject, which includes the financing of a vast program of immigrant expulsions in an irregular situation.
The environmental defenders denounce the construction of the center in a natural ecosystem which houses more than 2,000 species of animals and plants.
