Florida has begun construction of a new large-scale migrant detention center deep within the Everglades, a location so remote and inhospitable that local officials have nicknamed it “Alligator Alcatraz.”
The facility, which began construction on Tuesday, will eventually be capable of holding up to 5,000 individuals. It is expected to cost $450 million per year to operate, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Aerial footage broadcast by an NBC affiliate showed initial work at the site, including large tents for detainees and trailers for staff. The area is surrounded by marshland home to alligators, crocodiles, and pythons—natural barriers that officials say will reduce the need for traditional security infrastructure.
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Trump Administration Expands Detention Amid Border Surge
President Donald Trump, currently serving his second term, has ramped up efforts to detain and deport undocumented migrants. His administration says the new facility is necessary following what they describe as a border crisis triggered during the previous Biden administration.
According to government figures, the number of people held in federal immigration detention has grown sharply—from 39,000 at the start of Trump’s second term to 56,000 as of mid-June. The new Florida site is part of a broader push to increase detention capacity across the country.
FEMA Funds Diverted to Cover Costs
To finance the Florida facility, DHS announced it will allocate a significant portion of its budget from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)’s shelter and services program—funds normally reserved for disaster relief.
These same funds were used under the Biden administration to help major cities like New York support newly arrived migrants. Their diversion to detention infrastructure under Trump marks a shift in federal immigration policy and funding priorities.
A detention cell is seen as U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem tours the Los Lagos Detention Facility on June 25, 2025 in San Jose, Costa Rica. Anna Moneymaker/Pool via REUTERS
Initial Capacity and Projected Costs
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier stated in a recent video that the site could begin operations within 30 to 60 days, initially housing around 1,000 people. The facility is designed to expand over time.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) currently pays an average of $165 per detainee per day. The Florida facility’s projected cost is $247 per detainee daily—well above the current average—reflecting the logistical challenges of building and operating in such a remote environment.
Political and Public Reactions Expected
As reported by Reuters, the program is expected to draw sharp scrutiny from both civil rights advocates and budget watchdogs given its high costs, remote location, and FEMA funding source.
