DeSantis Admits 'Alligator Alcatraz' Detention Camp Was Always Meant to Be Temporary Amid Reports of Possible Shutdown

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis acknowledged on Thursday that the immigration detention center dubbed "Alligator Alcatraz," located deep in the Everglades, was always planned as a temporary facility. His comments came on the heels of a New York Times report revealing that state and federal officials have begun early discussions about potentially shutting down the camp.

Since opening last summer, the detention center has processed and deported roughly 22,000 detainees, many of whom have reported dire physical conditions and limited access to legal counsel. The facility has drawn sharp criticism for its remote location and harsh treatment protocols.

DeSantis told reporters in Lakeland that dismantling the facility "was always the goal," and that closure would depend on whether the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) can house detainees elsewhere. However, DHS officials have not publicly expressed a desire to close the camp. Instead, the department issued a statement praising Florida as "a valuable partner in advancing President Trump's immigration agenda" and emphasized ongoing evaluations of detention needs.

The facility reportedly costs Florida over $1 million per day to operate, and the state is still waiting on $608 million in federal reimbursements it has requested. This financial strain adds another layer of complexity to the future of the detention center.

A handbook made public as part of a lawsuit over detainees' access to attorneys reveals strict controls within the facility. Detainees are segregated based on criminal history and flight risk, and during head counts, they must remain silent and immobile. Any violation can result in punishment not only for the individual but for their entire housing unit, including lockdowns.

The facility's potential closure would mark a notable shift in Florida's aggressive immigration enforcement strategy under DeSantis, who has repeatedly courted controversy with his hardline policies. But for now, the camp remains open, continuing to detain thousands under conditions that civil rights advocates say demand urgent scrutiny and accountability.