Democratic Florida lawmakers who attempted to enter "Alligator Alcatraz" on Thursday were barred after they expressed "humanitarian concerns" about the new Everglades detention center.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, who first suggested building the $450 million-per-year facility at a small airport in the middle of the Everglades, garnered praise from conservative leaders around the country for the project.

The announcement came as Florida officials opened the state's controversial immigration detention facility in the Everglades.