A federal official described the Everglades detention facility known as Alligator Alcatraz as a successful temporary measure that processed over 21,000 illegal aliens for deportation. The site was constructed on remote Everglades land at Dade-Collier Airport in just eight days and designed to address migration pressures that built up during four years of open-border policy under the previous administration.

According to preliminary discussions between federal and Florida officials, the need for Alligator Alcatraz will diminish as President Trump secured record congressional funding for permanent deportation infrastructure. This infrastructure is expected to reduce reliance on temporary sites like the Everglades facility.

The facility, which cost more than $1 million per day to operate, was built as a rapid temporary solution and would become less necessary once the larger federal detention network operates. A senior Florida government official stated that Alligator Alcatraz will return to its natural state after its mission ends, with the land committed to remain undeveloped.

The site’s 2.5-mile runway continues to be used for deportation flights from neighboring ICE facilities. Additionally, the Trump administration has allocated $608 million through FEMA’s Detention Support Grant Program to assist states in building or expanding similar temporary detention capacities, with Florida’s model serving as a blueprint.

It is important to note that no final closure order has been issued by federal authorities or Governor Ron DeSantis’ office. The discussions remain preliminary and are based on internal cost considerations reported by anonymous officials.