The Department of Defense is moving forward with plans to construct the largest federal migrant detention facility ever built in the U.S., located at Fort Bliss, Texas. The center is expected to accommodate up to 5,000 beds for undocumented migrants.
Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson announced the initiative during a press briefing on Thursday, revealing that construction began in July.
“Since then, work has begun for initial detainment capacity of 1,000 illegal aliens with initial operating capacity likely to be achieved by mid to late August,” Wilson said. “Once DOD achieves initial stand up, we will finish construction for up to 5,000 beds in the weeks and months ahead.”
Wilson described the facility as the largest of its kind in U.S. history, emphasizing its role in what she called “this critical mission: the deportation of illegal aliens.”
The new detention center aligns with President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at protecting Americans from what the administration calls an invasion.
This announcement comes shortly after Indiana Governor Mike Braun revealed plans to build a detention center known as the “Speedway Slammer” at the Miami Correctional Center, located between Indianapolis and Fort Wayne.
Inspired by Indiana’s rich racing heritage, including the Indianapolis 500, the “Speedway Slammer” is expected to house up to 1,000 migrants once operational.
“We are proud to work with President Trump and Secretary Noem as they remove the worst of the worst with this innovative partnership,” Braun said in a statement Tuesday. “Indiana is taking a comprehensive and collaborative approach to combating illegal immigration and will continue to lead the way among states.”
Funding for these projects stems from a recent reconciliation bill signed by President Trump, which he described as the “one big, beautiful bill.”
According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the legislation supports the 287(g) program, which enhances cooperation between Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and local authorities, along with funding for 80,000 ICE detention beds.
The administration has maintained deportation efforts while encouraging undocumented immigrants without further criminal offenses to self-deport.
Another federal facility informally known as “Alligator Alcatraz” opened this summer in Florida under the oversight of federal officials and Governor Ron DeSantis. Located at the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport in Ochopee, it functions as a deportation staging center.
Initially funded by the state, the center also receives support from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. It currently holds around 2,000 detainees, with plans to increase capacity to 4,000. Deportation flights began in late July.
The facility was created by converting a decommissioned airport in the Everglades, and a second similar center may be developed, according to WJHL. State officials have faced criticism from immigration and environmental groups over the location and purpose of the site.
