{"id":2600653,"date":"2026-05-09T06:30:01","date_gmt":"2026-05-09T10:30:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/noems-infamous-alligator-alcatraz-likely-to-close-soon\/"},"modified":"2026-05-09T06:33:36","modified_gmt":"2026-05-09T10:33:36","slug":"noems-infamous-alligator-alcatraz-likely-to-close-soon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/noems-infamous-alligator-alcatraz-likely-to-close-soon\/","title":{"rendered":"Noem&#8217;s infamous &#8216;Alligator Alcatraz&#8217; likely to close soon"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">16<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fnoems-infamous-alligator-alcatraz-likely-to-close-soon%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2600653&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Florida officials are discussing with the Trump governance the near-term closure of \u201cAlligator Alcatraz,\u201d a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/number-of-migrant-children-in-border-patrol-custody-drops-45-as-biden-admin-transfers-kids-to-hhs\/\" title=\"Number Of Migrant Children In Border Patrol Custody Drops 45% As Biden Admin Transfers Kids To HHS\">temporary detention center<\/a> in the Everglades used to hold illegal immigrants. A former senior administration official says it is being shut down becuase it is too expensive and needs to be closed before <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/hurricane-season-is-first-test-of-trumps-reshaped-weather-agencies\/\" title=\"... is first test of Trump&#039;s reshaped weather agencies\">hurricane season starts<\/a>. The report follows earlier coverage that state and federal officials were in talks about winding down the facility, though Gov. Ron DeSantis has largely avoided directly confirming the shutdown, saying the site would eventually be \u201cbroken down\u201d and that both sides are discussing operational next steps.<\/p>\n<p>The article notes that while the facility was operating,roughly 22,000 peopel housed ther were deported,which DeSantis argues made Florida safer and prevented detainees from being released back into the community. It also explains the Department of Homeland Security\u2019s broader approach during the early deportation push-where limited federal detention space lead to partnerships with states to create additional, sometimes makeshift, detention sites for ICE.<\/p>\n<p>Alligator Alcatraz began with capacity for about 2,000 people and was marketed by DeSantis and the White House as a fast, logistics-friendly option near a runway for deportation. The operation has reportedly cost about $1 million per day, and Florida is still waiting on DHS reimbursement. The fate of other <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-admin-will-shift-nearly-1-billion-in-covid-funds-to-pay-to-house-migrant-children-at-the-border\/\" title=\"Biden Admin Will Shift Nearly  Billion In COVID Funds To Pay To House Migrant Children At The Border\">temporary detention sites<\/a> is described as unclear, with some legal challenges having occurred and at least one court action recently allowing Alligator Alcatraz to remain open. The DHS did not comment.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p>Florida officials are in talks with the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/trump-administration\">Trump administration<\/a> about closing down \u201cAlligator Alcatraz,\u201d the cheeky term for a pop-up <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/detainees\">detention<\/a> center for <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/illegal-immigrants\">illegal immigrants<\/a> in the Everglades, in the near future, the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> has learned. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt is closing,\u201d a former senior administration official with knowledge of the talks told the <em>Washington Examiner <\/em>on Friday. \u201cToo expensive and they want it out before this hurricane season.\u201d<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/national-security\/4559338\/us-officials-cartels-fight-border-skies\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>US officials gravely concerned cartels will take fight at border to the skies<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/immigration\/4560678\/kathy-hochul-tom-homan-new-york-ice-officers\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Kathy Hochul signals defiance as Tom Homan threatens New York with ICE surge<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/immigration\/4560577\/desantis-confirms-alligator-alcatraz-looming-break-down\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>DeSantis confirms \u2018Alligator Alcatraz\u2019s\u2019 looming breakdown<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p>Hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>The confirmation follows a <em>New York Times <\/em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2026\/05\/07\/us\/florida-alligator-alcatraz-possible-closure.html\">report<\/a> this week that state and federal officials were in talks about shuttering the site soon. A spokesperson for Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) did not comment on the future of Alligator Alcatraz and referred the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> to the governor\u2019s remarks a day earlier.<\/p>\n<p>DeSantis stopped shy of admitting during a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/rumble.com\/v79j6l8-governor-desantis-signs-law-to-protect-floridians-from-subsidizing-data-cen.html\">press conference<\/a> on Thursday that the site would be closed, only noting that both parties were discussing operations moving forward.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThey haven\u2019t said they want to wind it down. I mean, it\u2019s been discussed about, because I think you had a new secretary come in, take a fresh look at these things,\u201d DeSantis said. \u201cAt some point we will, we will, of course, break it down. That was always the goal.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>While open, approximately 22,000 illegal immigrants who were housed on-site have been deported, DeSantis said on Thursday.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf we didn\u2019t have that facility \u2026 they would have been released back to the public,\u201d DeSantis said. \u201cI have no doubt that that has made the state of Florida safer. I have no doubt that that has saved lives.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Due to a shortage of <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >federally contracted detention space early<\/a> on in the Trump administration\u2019s effort to carry out mass deportations, the Department of Homeland Security <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/immigration\/3795327\/state-run-detention-sites-ice-space-mass-deportation-agenda\/\">brokered<\/a> deals to build new and sometimes makeshift facilities that allow\u00a0ICE to detain thousands of illegal immigrants as they are arrested inside the country.<\/p>\n<p>Those initially detained by federal immigration authorities in the region have been held at Alligator Alcatraz, which was named in light of the 200,000 wild alligators that live in the surrounding swampland. The White House applauded this and other efforts by the DeSantis administration and called for more of them.<\/p>\n<p>\u201c\u2018Alligator Alcatraz\u2019 is a state-of-the-art facility that will play a critical role in fulfilling the President\u2019s promise to get the worst criminal illegal aliens out of America as fast as possible,\u201d White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson wrote in an email.<\/p>\n<p>Alligator Alcatraz had space for 2,000 people initially, and its operators intended to grow detention space over time. Last July, DeSantis debuted Alligator Alcatraz with a\u00a0visit from President Donald Trump and then-Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOne of the reasons why this was a sensible spot is because you have this runway that\u2019s right here,\u201d DeSantis <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/immigration\/3482154\/dhs-deportation-flights-illegal-immigrants-alligator-alcatraz-desantis\/\">said<\/a> last July. \u201cYou don\u2019t have to drive them an hour to an airport.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The\u00a0Trump administration\u00a0used the remote site that is <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/immigration\/3482154\/dhs-deportation-flights-illegal-immigrants-alligator-alcatraz-desantis\/\">adjacent to<\/a> an airplane runway to deport illegal immigrants once a judge signed off on the order.<\/p>\n<p>Between July 2025 and September 2025, the DHS partnered with state officials and opened <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/immigration\/3457679\/trump-visit-alligator-alcatraz-ice-detention-center-florida\/\">Alligator Alcatraz<\/a> and\u00a0\u201c<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/immigration\/3499773\/desantis-illegal-immigration-detention-center-deportation-depot\/\">Deportation Depot<\/a>\u201d\u00a0in Florida,\u00a0\u201c<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dhs.gov\/news\/2025\/08\/05\/speedway-slammer-new-partnership-dhs-and-state-indiana-expand-detention-space\">Speedway Slammer<\/a>\u201d\u00a0in Indiana,\u00a0\u201c<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dhs.gov\/news\/2025\/08\/19\/cornhusker-clink-new-partnership-dhs-and-state-nebraska-expand-detention-space\">Cornhusker Clink<\/a>\u201d\u00a0in Nebraska,\u00a0and \u201c<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dhs.gov\/news\/2025\/09\/03\/louisiana-lockup-new-partnership-dhs-and-state-louisiana-expand-detention-space\">Louisiana Lockup<\/a>\u201d in Louisiana, with more <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/immigration\/3758363\/alliterative-immigration-detention-centers-trump-branding\/\">alliterative facilities<\/a> expected on the horizon.<\/p>\n<p>Combined, the state sites added jail space for an additional 10,000 illegal immigrants beyond the roughly 50,000 beds available at existing ICE facilities, and though some have faced legal challenges, most notably Alligator Alcatraz, the administration has vowed to move forward with its detention center expansion.<\/p>\n<p>The Everglades site has cost approximately $1 million a day to operate, money that Florida is still waiting for DHS to reimburse.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/national-security\/4559338\/us-officials-cartels-fight-border-skies\/\">U.S. OFFICIALS GRAVELY CONCERNED CARTELS WILL TAKE FIGHT AT BORDER TO THE SKIES<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The future of the other temporary detention sites remains unclear. It has survived legal action in court and was recently <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/immigration\/4538558\/appeals-court-alligator-alcatraz-stay-open\/\">spared<\/a> by a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/supreme-court-clashes-over-bid-to-execute-boston-marathon-bomber\/\" title=\"Supreme ... Clashes Over Bid To Execute Boston Marathon Bomber\">federal appeals court decision<\/a> not to shut it down.<\/p>\n<p>The DHS did not respond to a request for comment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Florida may shut \u201cAlligator Alcatraz\u201d soon, officials say<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2655,"featured_media":2600654,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Noem-Alligator-Alcatraz.webp?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[57804,17353,14281,8794,40710],"class_list":["post-2600653","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-alligator-alcatraz","tag-conservation","tag-controversies","tag-noem","tag-south-dakota"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Noem-Alligator-Alcatraz.webp?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2600653","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2655"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2600653"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2600653\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2600657,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2600653\/revisions\/2600657"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2600654"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2600653"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2600653"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2600653"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}