DeSantis Defends ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ Costs as Facility Prepares to Close
Gov. Ron DeSantis says Florida’s remote Everglades detention center saved taxpayer money as officials prepare to close the facility by June after nine months.
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA — Governor Ron DeSantis addressed the financial impact of Florida’s immigration detention facility, known as “Alligator Alcatraz,” during a press conference Wednesday. The state is preparing to wind down operations at the remote Everglades site after nine months.
“We’ve saved taxpayers money,” DeSantis stated at a Brevard County press conference. “We’ve saved taxpayers from medical care and schooling [of undocumented immigrants] and all these different things. … I’d rather do what’s right, and I’d rather protect the people that I was elected to serve.”
Facility Closure Expected by June
The governor’s comments followed a report by The New York Times that officials are preparing to close the detention center by June, less than a year after it opened on July 1, 2025, in Ochopee. The center had 1,383 detainees booked on April 2, according to the latest available data.
Located in the Everglades, the facility earned its nickname due to its remote location surrounded by alligator-infested waters. The closure comes amid reports of high operational costs and claims that the facility has become obsolete under the current federal administration’s immigration policies.
Federal Immigration Enforcement Changes
DeSantis acknowledged that the Department of Homeland Security has not informed him whether it will stop sending unauthorized migrants to the facility. However, he expressed satisfaction that Florida could potentially step back from immigration enforcement under President Trump’s administration.
“Ideally, I wouldn’t want to be involved in this business at all. If the federal government … could do that with no state support, all the better,” DeSantis said, contrasting former President Joe Biden’s policies to President Trump’s hardline campaign against unauthorized border crossings.
The federal government currently operates five detention centers in Florida, with the largest being Krome North Services Processing Center in Miami.
End of an Era for DeSantis Immigration Policies
The facility’s closure marks a significant point for DeSantis, who gained attention for positioning Florida at the forefront of anti-illegal immigration policies. During his tenure, the state opened two detention centers and revived a World War II-era civilian force to help strengthen border security efforts.
When Alligator Alcatraz first opened, both DeSantis and President Trump toured the facility together, highlighting the state’s role in federal immigration enforcement efforts. The facility’s nine-month operational period represents a notable chapter in Florida’s recent immigration policy initiatives.
The governor’s defense of the facility’s costs comes as state officials prepare for the logistical challenges of transferring detainees and closing operations at the remote location. The timing of the closure aligns with broader changes in federal immigration enforcement priorities under the current administration.
