The White House and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis are urging Republican-led states to follow Florida’s example and create their own versions of “Alligator Alcatraz” — a remote migrant detention center built deep in the Everglades. The facility, designed to house thousands of criminal illegal immigrants, has become a symbol of the Trump administration’s sweeping deportation crackdown.
Now, several GOP-led states — from Georgia and Idaho to Arkansas and South Carolina — are signaling interest in launching their own versions of the controversial detention site.
“We don’t have alligators, but we have lots of bears,” Alaska officials told Fox News, suggesting that while a frozen version of Alligator Alcatraz isn’t on the books yet, they’re keeping an open mind.
Governors Respond to the Call
During a Fox News appearance, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller directly urged Republican governors to get involved.
“Pick up the phone, call DHS, and build facilities in your state so we can get the illegals out and the criminals out,” Miller said.
South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace joked on X, “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.”
In Georgia, Gov. Brian Kemp’s office said the state is already moving forward with plans to convert a private facility into what could become the nation’s largest detention center in coordination with ICE.
“Under Governor Kemp’s leadership, Georgia has helped lead the way in tackling illegal immigration,” said spokesperson Garrison Douglas.
Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders is also investing in detention infrastructure. Her office confirmed construction is underway on a 3,000-bed prison, backed by legislation she signed to strengthen penalties for illegal immigrants who commit crimes in the state.
Trump Tours Florida Facility
President Trump traveled to Florida this week to tour the Alligator Alcatraz facility, joined by DeSantis and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Located on a former airfield in the middle of the Everglades, the detention center is surrounded by miles of swampland, home to alligators and pythons.
“It’s known as Alligator Alcatraz — and that’s appropriate. This is not a place you want to go hiking,” Trump said during his visit. “Some of the most vicious people on the planet will be held here — and the only way out is deportation.”
DeSantis greenlit construction of the facility in June via emergency order. It currently has capacity for 5,000 detainees.
Other States Join In
- Texas has already offered 4,000 detention beds to federal authorities. “Texas will continue to assist the Trump administration in arresting, detaining, and deporting illegal immigrants,” said Gov. Greg Abbott’s office.
- Idaho Gov. Brad Little recently announced the state has signed a 287(g) agreement with ICE to assist in detentions and deportations, with more plans coming soon.
- South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, who chairs Trump’s Homeland Security Advisory Council, has tasked his administration with exploring how state assets can support deportation efforts.
White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said similar facilities in other states would help fulfill the administration’s goal of expelling the most dangerous undocumented migrants.
“Alligator Alcatraz is a state-of-the-art facility. The president believes our nation would be well served by more like it,” she said.
DeSantis: It’s Time for Red States to Step Up
In an interview with Sean Hannity, DeSantis urged fellow Republican governors to act.
“All red states need to step up,” he said. “If they each do what Florida is doing — even on a smaller scale — we’ll see massive deportation numbers. These are the types of solutions needed to undo the damage done under Biden.”
As Trump continues to make immigration enforcement a centerpiece of his second-term agenda, “Alligator Alcatraz” may become the model for a new national network of high-security migrant detention centers — each tailored to the terrain of the red states that build them.
