Sarasota Herald Tribune
July 3, 2025
The front page of today’s Herald Tribune bears the headline, “Trump pays visit to Alligator Alcatraz”, Florida’s new immigrant detention camp in the Everglades. Trump justifies the camp by claiming that most of the migrants who have illegally crossed the border are rapists, criminals and escaped inmates of asylums.
According to CNN, less than 10% of migrants booked into ICE custody since October were convicted of serious crimes. More than 75% had no conviction other than an immigration or traffic-related offense. Many are fleeing economic deprivation, crime and environmental crises. Some fear persecution.
After World War II, Martin Niemöller wrote a now famous quote that may help us consider the roundup of immigrants and construction of a detention camp on U.S. soil.
The quote reads:
First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
We must speak out.