Trump admin allocates $608M for state migrant detention centers

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The Trump administration is providing $608 million to states interested in expanding migrant detention efforts. 

The funding, introduced through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) new Detention Support Grant Program (DEP), is designed to assist states in constructing or expanding temporary detention facilities similar to Florida’s Everglades compound known as “Alligator Alcatraz,” according to FEMA documents.

“Secretary Kristi Noem of the Department of Homeland Security has emphasized that Alligator Alcatraz can serve as a model for other states and local governments to support detention,” a DHS spokesperson informed news outlets on Friday. 

The financial support is a component of FEMA’s Shelter and Services Program and is open for applications until August 8, as per FEMA’s announcement.

The program aims to accelerate the construction of secure, temporary detention sites on state or local land, bypassing lengthy procurement delays. 

Noem has criticized federal contractors as costly and slow, advocating for governors to take a more direct approach.

“They were willing to build it and do it much quicker than some of the other vendors,” Noem mentioned regarding Florida. “And it was a real solution we’ll be able to utilize if we need to.”

Florida’s facility was constructed in just eight days on remote Everglades land at the Dade-Collier Airport. It can accommodate up to 3,000 migrants and is surrounded by fencing, swamp, and natural barriers. 

During a visit on July 1, President Donald Trump commended the facility as “so professional, so well done,” describing it as “a model we’d like to see in many states.” 

“We’re surrounded by miles of treacherous swampland, and the only way out is really deportation,” he added.

Florida officials have confirmed their request for FEMA reimbursement to help cover the camp’s estimated $450 million annual operating cost. State officials believe the site qualifies for federal funding under the new grant guidelines.

According to Noem, five states are currently in discussions with DHS about constructing similar detention facilities. 

“We’ve had several other states that are actually using Alligator Alcatraz as a model for how they can partner with us,” she mentioned during a recent news briefing.

“I hope my phone rings off the hook from governors calling and saying, ‘How can we do what Florida just did?’”

The new funding initiative coincides with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) aiming to double detention capacity. 

ICE reported over 56,000 migrants in custody as of June, the highest since 2019, with a target of 100,000 beds by year-end, according to DHS planning materials.

Funds will be allocated by FEMA in collaboration with Customs and Border Protection, as stated in DHS’ announcement.

FEMA did not immediately respond to requests for comment from news outlets.

Contributions to this report were made by various news reporters.