Governor Ron DeSantis​ pushed back against those concerns Wednesday, insisting the facility will have no long-term impact.

The detention facility, dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz” due to its location, was spearheaded by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, who said on Monday that the center is part of his aim to “support President Trump and [Homeland Security] Secretary Kristi Noem in their mission to fix our illegal immigration problem once and for all.”

A proposed immigrant detention center in the Everglades dubbed "Alligator Alcatraz" is drawing criticism for its potential effect on the ecosystem.