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DHS Chief Disputes June Closure Reports, Says Alligator Alcatraz Remains Open For Surge Use
On Wednesday, May 13, 2026, DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin told CBS News the department will not permanently close the Alligator Alcatraz detention center in the Florida Everglades and needs it for surge capacity.[1]
He acknowledged vulnerabilities at the soft-sided facility, citing nearby wildfires and Florida's exposure to hurricanes, and said DHS has contingency plans to evacuate detainees and temporarily close the site during a natural disaster.[1]
On Tuesday, May 12, CBS News aired a video segment saying unnamed sources told the outlet the Everglades site was "set to close" less than a year after it opened.[2] Subsequent reporting cited in Mullin's interview said state-contracted operators were told to prepare to remove about 1,400 detainees.[1] One source told CBS that the last detainee could leave in June and operating costs are now estimated near $1 billion.[1]
Mullin said DHS is reevaluating its detention expansion strategy and will look beyond warehouse conversions to buying or using county jails and closed state or local facilities that can be brought online faster.[1] Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and state emergency director Kevin Guthrie said the state had received no formal federal communication about a closure decision.[1]
Show source details & analysis (3 sources)
📌 Key Facts
- On Tuesday, May 12, 2026, CBS News reported via a video segment that the Florida Everglades immigration detention center known as Alligator Alcatraz is “set to close” less than a year after it opened, citing unnamed sources and characterizing the decision as near-term (CBS News).
- On Wednesday, May 13, 2026, DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin told CBS News that the department has made no announcement to permanently shut down the Alligator Alcatraz detention facility and that he does not believe DHS has said it is closing the site (DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin).
- Mullin acknowledged vulnerabilities at the soft-sided Everglades facility — citing nearby wildfires within about 20 miles and Florida’s exposure to hurricanes — and said DHS has contingency plans to evacuate detainees and temporarily close the site in a natural disaster (soft-sided Everglades facility).
- Mullin said DHS still needs Alligator Alcatraz as “surge capacity” to handle a “big influx” of migrants and described the site as part of the department’s ability to flex detention capacity (surge capacity).
- Earlier reports cited in the story said state-contracted operators were told the facility would shut down, with about 1,400 remaining detainees expected to be removed in the coming weeks, one source saying the last detainee would leave in June, and operating costs now estimated near $1 billion (about 1,400 remaining detainees).
- Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and state emergency director Kevin Guthrie said on May 13, 2026 that Florida had received no formal federal communication outlining a closure decision or path forward for the facility (Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis).
- Mullin said DHS is reevaluating its broader detention expansion strategy, looking beyond warehouse conversions to acquiring or using county jails and shuttered state and local facilities that can be repaired and brought online more quickly (converting warehouses).
- Citing his construction background, Mullin said converting warehouses can require 18 to 24 months for permitting and utilities — a timeline he argued “doesn't fit today's need” — and that some states are blocking use of existing detention facilities, pushing DHS toward alternatives such as buying closed jails (temporary leader at ICE).
📰 Source Timeline (3)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
May 13, 2026
11:31 PM
DHS chief Mullin says agency has no plan to shut down "Alligator Alcatraz"
New information:
- On Wednesday, May 13, 2026, DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin told CBS News that the department has made no announcement to permanently shut down the Alligator Alcatraz detention facility and that he does not believe DHS has said it is closing the site.
- Mullin acknowledged "vulnerabilities" at the soft-sided Everglades facility, citing nearby wildfires within about 20 miles and Florida’s exposure to hurricanes, and said DHS has contingency plans to evacuate detainees and temporarily close the site in a natural disaster.
- He said DHS still needs Alligator Alcatraz as "surge capacity" to handle a "big influx" of migrants, describing it as part of the department’s ability to flex detention capacity.
- The article notes earlier reports that state-contracted operators were told the facility would shut down, with about 1,400 remaining detainees expected to be removed in the coming weeks and one source saying the last detainee would leave in June amid operating costs now estimated near $1 billion.
- Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and state emergency director Kevin Guthrie said on May 13, 2026 that Florida has received no formal federal communication outlining a closure decision or path forward for the facility.
- Mullin said DHS is reevaluating its broader detention expansion strategy, indicating the department will look beyond warehouse conversions to acquiring or using county jails and shuttered state and local facilities that can be repaired and brought online more quickly than new warehouse build-outs.
- He said some states are blocking use of existing detention facilities, pushing DHS toward alternatives such as buying closed jails or facilities that were previously too expensive for local governments to maintain.
- Mullin, citing his construction background, said converting warehouses can require 18 to 24 months for permitting and utilities, a timeline he argued "doesn't fit today's need" for detention capacity.
- The article reiterates that DHS is moving to install a temporary leader at ICE while it searches for a permanent director, confirming the plan but not naming the individual in the excerpt.
May 12, 2026
11:47 PM
Florida immigration detention center "Alligator Alcatraz" to close, sources say
New information:
- CBS News reported on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, via a video segment that the immigration detention center in the Florida Everglades known as Alligator Alcatraz is set to close less than a year after it opened, citing unnamed sources.
- The video piece reiterates that the closure is a near-term decision rather than a distant proposal, characterizing the center as "set to close" based on those sources.