Governor DeSantis highlights the success of Alligator Alcatraz and Florida’s continued efforts in combating illegal immigration
Press release from the Office of Governor Ron DeSantis
OCHOPEE, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis joined White House Border Czar Tom Homan to highlight the success of Alligator Alcatraz and Florida’s continued efforts in combatting illegal immigration.
Detention operations support led to nearly 30,000 additional deportations, and Florida accounts for more than 40% of all state/local immigration arrests nationwide. Florida has since become a model for states in helping the Trump Administration to apprehend, detain, and deport illegal aliens.
“Florida led the way in increasing much-needed detention capacity and working with our federal partners to streamline deportations, removing thousands of the most dangerous criminal aliens from our country,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Alligator Alcatraz has fulfilled this mission. Detainees who are still awaiting deportation have been transferred to other federal facilities, and demobilization efforts are underway. Along with our partners in the Trump Administration, we will continue the mission to make our communities safer by deporting illegal aliens and ensuring that our nation’s immigration laws are enforced.”
During the Biden border crisis, Florida set the standard for states in protecting citizens from the harmful effects of illegal immigration. Alligator Alcatraz began accepting detainees in July 2025 after being constructed and fully operational in just eight days. This was the first state-supported federal detention facility in the nation specifically established to support President Trump’s efforts to detain and deport illegal immigrants.
By launching Alligator Alcatraz, Florida increased a much-needed detention capacity, instantly relieving pressure on the federal government, which directly allowed for more boots on the ground for immigration enforcement.
Florida was also one of the first states in the nation to be requested to enter into an agreement with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to execute functions of immigration enforcement in our state. As a result, today, Florida has more 287(g) federal enforcement deputizations than any other state in the nation.
Florida remains committed to leading the nation in immigration enforcement, supporting President Trump’s mission to secure the border, detain illegal aliens, and carry out deportation operations that protect American communities.
Cool…deport ALL illegal aliens. They steal our jobs, money, benefits,welfare,medical,etc…
The governor isn’t stupid. He thinks we are:
“In total, the state signed at least 55 contracts worth $1 billion to build, secure, and operate the facility. (no bid contracts to campaign donor companies)….
The Trump administration promised Florida $608 million in federal reimbursements through FEMA…
FEMA approved and issued its first installment of $58 million to Florida to cover approved operational costs like staff salaries, meals, and medical supplies. However, the federal government has refused to pay for the initial physical construction or modification costs of the site.
Following immense legal pressure, soaring costs of over $1 million per day, and severe weather risks, the facility was completely emptied and permanently shut down.”
https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/02/25/doj-trump-administration-wont-pay-for-alligator-alcatraz-construction-costs/
https://www.wusf.org/politics-issues/2026-06-01/trump-admin-pays-florida-first-58-million-in-alligator-alcatraz-reimbursements-state-says
Super cool.. Deport Jan 6ers, violent criminals that injured law enforcement.
Cool way to spend our tax $$$, for reference state prisons cost are ~81/day.
“Florida’s Division of Emergency Management said it spent $249 per night per detainee, which at 4,100 detainees worked out to about $1.02 million a day, or $264.2 million over the 259 days from July 2, 2025 to March 17, 2026”
Cruel is cool? Playing the tough guy is expensive no?
Don’t forget Antifa terrorists and BLM rioters.
In case the governor missed it:
https://alachuachronicle.com/alachua-county-commission-agrees-to-consider-anti-ice-resolution-discusses-boys-and-girls-club-property/
https://alachuachronicle.com/gainesville-city-commission-agrees-to-consider-anti-ice-petition/
May be worth monitoring.
If Alligator Alcatraz has been so successful, why is it closing today? And why doesn’t the press release mention that’s the reason you were there? How did Alligator Alcatraz get down to 0 detainees? Is it because Florida has deported them all? I don’t think so….
A bad idea from the beginning that our idiot Governor – channeling the bigger idiot Trump – thought was a cool “tough guy” idea. Went way over budget, no one wants to pay for it, but Floridians will, and because it’s a stupid place with a bad design, costs over $1 million a day to operate.
I believe we have the finest Governor in the Union. Can you even imagine what damage would have been inflicted by the druggie-pervert Andrew Gillum if he had won the election?????
Illegal immigrants belong in jail
Convicted Jan 6ers belong in jail not pardoned, even those who assaulted and beat LEO were given a pass. Not right, unacceptable, un-American.
Legal immigrants that benefit our great nation are welcome; illegal aliens are not.
It’s not right that illegals get to circumvent the process and cheat people who are trying to enter the country the right way. They all need to be deported or jailed.
We are honestly lucky to live in a state with a governor that understands that his role is to always put the interests of Florida citizens first.
Look at some of these other states like Minnesota, New York, or California, where the governors can barely contain their contempt for the citizens of their own states, and think their job is to advance the interests of other countries over our own.
FAFO needs to investigate the amount of government waste in funding this boondoggle.