Future of Ron DeSantis’ controversial 'Alligator Alcatraz' ICE holding facility revealed

By Fox News · Fox News

Governor Ron DeSantis ' famed "Alligator Alcatraz" U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) holding facility in the Florida swamp will "return to the Everglades" after it is no longer needed, a senior Florida government official has told Fox News. The New York Times reported Thursday that Florida is in talks with the Trump administration to shut the facility down, citing massive operational costs amounting to hundreds of millions. The outlet also reported that the Department of Homeland Security determined the facility was too expensive to continue operating. Though calling Alligator Alcatraz a "massive success," the Florida official emphasized that 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." "President Trump secured record funding from Congress to set up permanent sites for detaining and deporting illegal aliens," the official noted, explaining, "As those sites come online, the need for Alligator Alcatraz as a holding area will wane." DESANTIS HITS OBAMA WITH BRUTAL ONE-LINE RESPONSE TO DOJ POLITICIZATION ACCUSATION: ‘WOULD LIKE A WORD’ The official said Florida "is glad to see DHS rebuilt " under President Donald Trump. "We continue to fully support the mission," they said. "And when it’s no longer required, Alligator Alcatraz will return to the Everglades with Florida's commitment that it will never be developed." That said, the official said the facility’s 2.5-mile runway will remain available for large flights from neighboring ICE facilities. Regarding the operational costs, the official said, "We also appreciate the federal government’s commitment to reimbursing Florida for its immediate efforts to step in and help with this mission." FLORIDA OFFICIALS REVEAL CRIMINAL BACKGROUNDS OF MIGRANTS HELD AT 'ALLIGATOR ALCATRAZ' The official said that "since its inception, Alligator Alcatraz has processed over 21,000 illegal aliens for deportation." "…