US President Donald Trump visited a newly built immigration detention center in Florida on Tuesday. He joked that alligators in nearby swamps could serve as guards. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem joined him during the visit.

Located about 50 kilometers west of Miami, the facility is known as “Alligator Alcatraz.” It stands on a remote airstrip in the Florida Everglades, an area filled with alligators, snakes, and mosquitoes.

Trump Highlights Purpose of the Facility

During the tour, Trump explained the goal of the center. He said, “Very soon this facility will house some of the most menacing migrants, some of the most vicious people on the planet,” according to AFP.

He added, “We’re surrounded by miles of treacherous swampland, and the only way out is really deportation.”

Clearly, the location and conditions reflect the Trump administration’s strict approach to illegal immigration.

Jokes About Alligators Add Humor

Later in his speech, Trump joked about the swamp creatures acting as unpaid guards. “A lot of bodyguards and a lot of cops in the form of alligators — you don’t have to pay them so much,” he said. “I wouldn’t want to run through the Everglades for long. It’ll keep people where they’re supposed to be.”

Before the visit, Trump also made a joke about training detainees to escape alligators if they tried to run.

“We’re going to teach them how to run away from an alligator if they escape prison,” he said, moving his hands in a zigzag motion. “Don’t run in a straight line. Run like this…And you know what? Your chances go up about 1 per cent,” he added, as reported by AP.

Facility to Start Operations This Week

Meanwhile, Governor DeSantis announced that the camp would begin housing detainees on Wednesday. Workers completed it in just eight days. The facility can hold up to 3,000 people, according to AP.

In addition, the center has:

• Over 200 security cameras

• More than 8,500 meters of barbed wire

• 400 security officers

Together, these features aim to make the facility secure and escape-proof.