How Other States Are Copying The ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ Model
“Alligator Alcatraz,” a detention center in the Florida Everglades which opened last week, is the first of several ICE detention facilities expected to be built in other states.
The state-run detention center for illegal immigrants awaiting deportation was officially named “Alligator Alcatraz” in an allusion to the infamous San Francisco prison island, well-known for its harsh conditions and difficulty of escape.
But it isn’t the conditions in Alligator Alcatraz that center in its national messaging. Rather, the facility’s isolated location and catchy name have been used by Republicans to highlight their strength on immigration and national security with a particular comedic focus.
While touring the site, Trump made jokes about how detainees trying to escape should run in a zig-zag pattern to escape the alligators. The Department of Homeland Security posted an AI-generated meme on X depicting alligators as ICE agents with the text “coming soon.”
The buzz around Alligator Alcatraz has even seeped into state politics. The Florida GOP recently began selling Alligator Alcatraz-themed merchandise in its store, taking advantage of the national spotlight.
Republicans in several other states, including in Louisiana, Alabama, and South Carolina, are looking at constructing their own versions of Florida’s Alligator Alcatraz.
During Trump’s visit, the president told ABC that Alligator Alcatraz might become a model for similar centers planned in Louisiana and Alabama.
“We have Louisiana doing it, big Alabama is doing it,” Trump said, praising the states for their plans.
In late June, two companies in southern Alabama received federal contracts related to expanding detention centers for DHS and ICE.
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) expressed interest in creating an Alligator Alcatraz-like facility in South Carolina. Rep. Mace, who has floated a run for South Carolina governor, has been a staunch ally of the Trump administration, particularly on immigration.
“Dear DHS: We’ve got a swamp and a dream. Let’s talk. South Carolina’s gators are ready. And they’re not big on paperwork. If I was Governor, we’d be bringing Alligator Alcatraz to South Carolina,” Rep. Mace wrote on social media.
Interviewed by Fox News’ Laura Ingraham on July 1, representatives for Alaska’s state government said they currently have no plans for a similar detention center. Alaska’s population of illegal immigrants is relatively small, estimated to be between 5,000 and 11,000 by Alaska’s Department of Law.
“We don’t have alligators, but we have lots of bears. I am not aware of any plans for an Alaska version of Alligator Alcatraz,” the representatives said.
Back in November 2024, Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham offered a 1,400-acre Starr County ranch as a site to build detention centers for illegal immigrants. This specific site does not seem to have gone beyond early planning stages, with no announcements from Texas’ government or the Trump administration relating to it.
Separately, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s press secretary, Andrew Mahaleris, expressed support for building more detention facilities in the state.
“In January, Gov. Abbott directed the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and the Texas Facilities Commission to identify land and facilities for the federal government to use as detention space, and in February Gov. Abbott offered the Trump administration 4,000 beds for detention,” Mahaleris said in a comment to Fox News.
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp’s spokesperson, Garrison Douglas, said the state plans to build the largest detention facility in the country.
“One of our private sector partners recently announced an agreement with ICE to convert a Georgia facility into the largest detention facility in the nation–a move that is supported by the governor and will only bolster national efforts to detain criminal illegal immigrants and process them for deportation,” Douglas said.
Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ communications director told Fox News the state is “in the process of building a new 3,000-bed prison” for illegal immigrants.
Idaho Gov. Brad Little “plans to roll out new details on Idaho’s efforts to support President Trump’s agenda,” according to his press office.
“Little is proud that Idaho is leading the efforts through our recent action to enter into a 287(g) agreement with ICE and the Idaho State Police,” the office told Fox News.
287(g) is a section of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 which allows ICE to delegate its enforcement operations to state and local law agencies.
White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller called on all Republican governors to follow Florida’s lead and build their own versions of Alligator Alcatraz.
“We want to go to every Republican state – now, of course, in a sane country, Democrats would do it, too, but they love the illegals and they hate the Americans,” Miller said.
“We want every governor of a red state, and if you are watching tonight: pick up the phone, call DHS, work with us to build facilities in your state so we can get the illegals out and we can get the criminals out,” he continued.
President Trump also plans to reopen the real Alcatraz in San Francisco, a goal expected to cost tens of millions of dollars.
Alligator Alcatraz is primarily made up of tents with beds and locked metal fences inside to keep detainees in place. The facility was built in eight days, currently has room for 3,000 people, and was constructed near an airport used for training.
The $450 million needed for the facility’s construction and first-year costs came from Florida’s state government, and despite Trump’s vocal support for the initiative, no federal money has been spent on the center. Florida plans to seek reimbursement through FEMA’s Shelter and Services Program.
The site has already met criticism on grounds of human rights abuses, environmental damage, disrespect for detainee’s religious rights, and alleged excessive cruelty.
Calling from inside the facility, detainee and Cuban reggaeton artist Leamsy Isquierdo said their conditions were “horrific.” He alleges a lack of water to take baths, scarce and unsanitary food with “maggots,” and that the lights are on 24 hours per day.
“They’re not respecting our human rights,” another inmate said on the call.
“We’re human beings; we’re not dogs. We’re like rats in an experiment,” he continued.
There have also been concerns about damage to the local environment and nearby Native American communities. Talbert Cypress, chairman of the Miccosukee Business Council, claimed the facility will have a significant impact on the fragile ecosystem of the Everglades in a July 1 interview with ABC. Cypress also noted safety concerns about the entrance to the facility being only 900 feet from some tribal villages.
Local religious leaders have expressed similar concerns, particularly the Bishop of Venice, Frank Dewane. Dewane has tried to extend chaplaincy into the detention center to minister detainees, but his diocese and the partnering Archdiocese of Miami have found it difficult to trudge through the bureaucratic confusion pervading the facility, according to an interview in The Pillar.
Dewane’s concerns about religious rights are mirrored by an inmate, who apart from saying his mental and medical health are declining, claimed his Bible was confiscated.
“They took the Bible I had and they said here there is no right to religion. And my Bible is the one thing that keeps my faith, and now I’m losing my faith,” he said.