TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — In spite of assurances from President Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis that federal funds would support the Everglades immigrant detention center, the state has yet to receive any federal money, according to court documents filed by the Department of Homeland Security on Thursday. The filings in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida revealed that the facility has been solely funded by the state, as Florida has not sought federal funding to date.
The court documents stated, “Florida has not received any federal funds, nor has it applied for federal funding for the temporary detention center.” The Department of Homeland Security emphasized that the courts cannot make decisions on speculative future funding or provide opinions on scenarios that have not materialized.
The agency’s response was to a lawsuit filed by two environmental groups seeking the closure of the facility. DHS argued that it lacks the authority to act as it has not been involved in implementing, authorizing, directing, or funding the temporary detention center in Florida.
The detention center, known as “Alligator Alcatraz,” drew national attention even before its opening on Tuesday. President Trump and senior administration officials visited the facility alongside state officials, with Trump expressing interest in establishing similar centers in other states. The annual operating cost is estimated at $450 million, according to Florida authorities.
During the visit, Trump mentioned that the federal government not only intended to assist in reimbursing Florida for costs but also played a role in the rapid construction of the facility, completed in eight days under an emergency immigration order signed by DeSantis in 2023 and subsequently extended.
Trump credited the funding source to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Shelter and Services Program, previously used to accommodate undocumented individuals. The same funds were utilized by the Biden administration for similar purposes, a practice criticized by Trump and other Republicans as wasteful spending.
DeSantis stated that the facility would primarily be funded through the FEMA program, emphasizing its use to house criminal illegal aliens awaiting deportation. DHS confirmed that the FEMA funds would largely cover the expenses of the facility.
The Shelter and Services Program remains a central component in the funding of the detention center.
The program operates on a reimbursement basis, requiring states to seek reimbursements for eligible costs. The facility has been operational for less than three days, so the delay in receiving FEMA funds could be due to Florida not yet submitting an application. Despite attempts to seek clarification from the Florida Attorney General’s Office and the Florida Department of Emergency Management, no response has been received. It has been disclosed that no federal funding has been allocated to the state yet, revealing tensions between top DHS officials, including Secretary Kristi Noem, and Governor DeSantis over the facility’s launch. While federal officials initially dismissed reports of tension as “fake news,” they did not deny the claims. According to a Republican insider, DeSantis’ early media tour of the facility on “Fox and Friends” surprised both federal and state officials, causing displeasure among some parties. The facility, intended to accommodate up to 3,000 individuals, received its first group of detainees on Thursday.
