The Trump administration and Florida leaders are moving forward with a plan to build a detention facility on a remote site nestled in the state's swampy Everglades to hold undocumented migrants awaiting deportation.

The site, dubbed "Alligator Alcatraz," could open with soft-sided holding units for hundreds of detainees in the coming days through a partnership where the federal government will provide funding and the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) will oversee the build out and management. Additional holding units will be added through next month, under the agreement.

The facility is projected to cost about $450 million a year, which will come from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Shelter and Services Program that was used to house asylum-seekers during the Biden administration.

"Under President Trump's leadership, we are working at turbo speed on cost-effective and innovative ways to deliver on the American people’s mandate for mass deportations of criminal illegal aliens," Department Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement this week. "We will expand facilities and bed space in just days, thanks to our partnership with Florida."

The DHS-approved plans will allow the new Florida facility to hold immigrants arrested in the Sunshine State, as well as transfers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers.

The Florida state flag waving along with the USA flag. (Getty Images)

Why Florida?

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis's (R) administration

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