DeSantis Confirms Talks to Shut Down Everglades Immigrant Prison
Governor confirms costly Everglades immigrant prison may close after talks with Trump administration over prohibitive operating expenses in remote wilderness location.
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA — Governor Ron DeSantis has confirmed that his administration is in discussions with the Trump administration about shutting down the controversial Alligator Alcatraz immigrant detention facility located in the Big Cypress National Preserve, citing excessive operational costs.
The facility, which houses detained immigrants in the remote wilderness area of the preserve, has proven far more expensive to operate than initially projected when it was rapidly constructed without environmental studies or public hearings.
State Forms Committee to Address Prison Closure
In response to the potential shutdown, the state has established the Committee on Removing Alligator Alcatraz from the Preserve. The committee includes representatives from multiple state agencies, according to the Florida Phoenix.
The Division of Emergency Management, which has been responsible for funding the facility, chairs the committee. Other participating agencies include the Department of Environmental Protection, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and the South Florida Water Management District.
Operational Challenges in Remote Location
The detention facility’s location miles from civilization in the Big Cypress National Preserve has created significant logistical and financial challenges. The remote setting requires extensive resources to maintain operations and transport personnel and supplies.
Attorney General James Uthmeier, who originally announced the Alligator Alcatraz project, has representation on the shutdown committee. The facility was built by state contractors as part of Florida’s immigration enforcement efforts.
Federal and State Coordination
The discussions between DeSantis and the Trump administration represent a shift in approach to the facility that was once promoted as a key component of Florida’s immigration strategy. The shutdown talks indicate recognition that the costs of operating the remote detention center have become prohibitive.
The committee meetings are expected to address the complex logistics of dismantling the facility and removing infrastructure from the federally protected preserve. Environmental considerations will likely play a major role in the shutdown process, given the sensitive ecosystem of the Big Cypress National Preserve.
The timeline for the potential closure has not been announced, but the formation of the specialized committee suggests the state is moving forward with preliminary planning for the shutdown process.
