According to reports, Florida officials are engaging in discussions with the Trump administration regarding potential closure of the high-profile immigration detention center known as “Alligator Alcatraz.” The facility, located in a swampy area between Miami and Naples, has cost the state hundreds of millions of dollars annually.

State officials reportedly spend over $1 million per day operating the center, which faces financial strain as private vendors hired by the administration struggle to cover costs. Federal authorities have determined the facility is no longer economically viable, citing its high operational expenses and diminished effectiveness.

Governor DeSantis has repeatedly characterized the Everglades detention center as a successful temporary solution for federal detainees during President Trump’s immigration policy initiatives. He has stated the facility was intended to be short-term. However, multiple lawsuits have been filed by detainee advocates and activists challenging conditions at the site, with critics condemning what they describe as unsanitary and inhumane environments since the center opened 10 months ago.

A senior Florida government official defended the operation in a statement: “Since its inception, Alligator Alcatraz has processed over 21,000 illegal aliens for deportation… The facility’s purpose was to provide Florida and the Trump administration with a rapid, temporary solution to four years of Biden’s open border invasion.” The official added that once permanent detention sites come online under President Trump’s initiative, the need for Alligator Alcatraz will decrease.

The Department of Homeland Security has not commented on the discussions, nor have the Florida Division of Emergency Management or DeSantis’ office responded to inquiries. An appeals court recently upheld the center’s operation despite ongoing legal challenges from detainees and advocates.