Today, WPTV is outside a new immigration detention center within the Florida Everglades, dubbed 'Alligator Alcatraz', to learn the latest on what political leaders say could house 5,000 detainees.
President Donald Trump, accompanied by Governor Ron DeSantis, State Attorney James Uthmeier, ICE leaders and US representatives, will all be in attendance for a tour this morning, followed by a roundtable discussion.
President Trump began opening remarks at the discussion, citing his persistent efforts to keep illegal immigration numbers on the decline.
"With the help of those incredible border patrol agents, we now have the lowest level of daily border crossings ever reported," Trump said. "As of the month of May, the number of illegal aliens into the United States was zero. Even I find that hard to believe."
WATCH: Trump says illegal immigration is at an all-time low
Governor Ron DeSantis thanked the president for his support for the project, and said that this isn't stopping people from being able to deport themselves. Kristi Noem, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, also reminded people that self-deportation is an option.
“If you (self-deport), you will get the chance to come back to the United States legally. You will get the chance to come back and do it the right way," Noem said. "If you don’t, you might end up here and end up being processed and deported from this country and never get the chance to come back."
DeSantis called the facility a "one-stop shop," as the facility is built next to an airplane runway for immigrants to be deported from.
WATCH: Executive Director for the Florida Division of Emergency Management Kevin Guthrie talks about conditions inside facility
WPTV Reporter Kate Hussey asked Trump his response to those who have concerns surrounding the waste the facility could produce on the federally protected land of the Everglades.
"I think (the location) was a brilliant choice and I think anybody in their right mind would think it’s a brilliant choice," Trump said. "I give the governor a lot of credit for using this piece of land."
DeSantis backed Trump on his environmental claims.
“I think a lot of people just don’t want to see illegals deported," DeSantis said. "Because if you actually hear everyone here, you’ll know that there is zero land being disrupted."
WATCH: President Trump says 'Alligator Alcatraz' is enhancing the Florida Everglades
According to DeSantis, another facility similar to 'Alligator Alcatraz' could be built near Camp Blanding outside Jacksonville, which is a training base for the National Guard. The governor said this facility could hold around 2,000 detainees.
Kevin Guthrie, Executive Director for the Florida Division of Emergency Management, said that the response for proposals for the Camp Blanding site ends Wednesday, and that construction could begin as early as next week.
"I would like to see (these facilities) in many states," Trump said.
'Alligator Alcatraz' could receive its first detainees today.
