‘Alligator Alcatraz’ is Not Surrounded by an Alligator-Infested Moat — and Other Claims About the Migrant Center That Don’t Hold Water
By Jack Olson, Ines Chomnalez, and Sarah Komar
What happened: Social media users cheering the opening of Florida’s new “Alligator Alcatraz” immigrant detention center are claiming that the facility is surrounded by an alligator-infested moat — and some are pointing to an AI-generated photo as supposed proof.
Context: On July 1, 2025, President Donald Trump attended the opening of the so-called “Alligator Alcatraz,” a migrant detention center built in eight days on a remote airstrip in the Florida Everglades. The facility, which has drawn protests from critics who say it is inhumane and violates environmental regulations, is expected to house thousands of migrants suspected of being in the U.S. illegally, according to news reports.
A closer look: “Alligator Alcatraz” is a reference to the infamous former prison on Alcatraz Island in the San Francisco Bay, which is surrounded by waters rumored to be infested with sharks to prevent inmates from escaping.
Trump said of the Florida facility, “We have a lot of bodyguards and a lot of cops that are in the form of alligators … it’ll keep people where they’re supposed to be,” referring to the native Everglades wildlife.
Some social media users have taken the claim about alligators to another level, sharing an image that appears to show a bird’s eye view of “Alligator Alcatraz.” The photo depicts several white buildings on a strip of land, surrounded by a moat populated by dozens of alligators.
Conservative X user @ToryLaneNV shared the image in a June 28 X post with the caption: “Florida’s new detention site is now fully enclosed by gator-infested waters — and it opens in 72 hours. Over 5,000 illegals will be held there. No fences needed when nature handles security.” The post received 7.5 million views and 100,000 likes in three days.
The Spanish-language site for Russian state-controlled media outlet RT (NewsGuard Trust Score: 20/100) published an article on June 30 that included the image and stated, “The so-called ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ in Florida.”
Actually: There is no alligator-infested moat surrounding “Alligator Alcatraz,” and the photo cited as evidence is AI-generated, according to AI detection tool Hive.
Real images of the detention center published by CNN on June 30 show temporary structures situated on an asphalt aircraft ramp adjacent to the runway of the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport. There is no moat.
In addition to the false moat claim, social media accounts and websites across the political spectrum are advancing other falsehoods about the detention facility.
Scorching cells? On the left, social media users claim that the facility does not have air conditioning, creating inhumane conditions in the scorching Florida summer heat.
On June 27, anti-Trump Facebook page Alt National Park Service posted: “We’ve talked about ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ before. Here are more details. Starting the first week of July, when South Florida’s heat index regularly hits 100°F, they plan to detain up to 5,000 people in tents. No A/C.”
Actually: Multiple government officials, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, said that the facility will be air conditioned. Florida TV news reporters at Fort Myers-based WINK reported that they saw air conditioning units on-site.
Red Cross hoax: Meanwhile, far-right conspiracy websites claimed that the American Red Cross requested to inspect “Alligator Alcatraz,” but that White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles ordered that the organization stay away from the facility.
Conservative site Survive the News (Trust Score: 0/100) published an article that stated, “The Trump administration has forbidden Red Cross representatives from inspecting Alligator Alcatraz.”
Actually: Both the White House and the Red Cross told NewsGuard the claim is false. Indeed, NewsGuard found that it originated on satirical news site RealRawNews.com (Trust Score: 7.5/100).
White House Assistant Press Secretary Taylor Rogers said in a July 1, 2025, email to NewsGuard, “Fake news!” Red Cross media relations director Nicole Maul told NewsGuard in an email, “No individual from the American Red Cross has requested access to the ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ detention facility in Florida and all claims about and/or in the article are false.”
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