The Trump administration has announced a $608 million funding offer to states willing to expand migrant detention facilities.
This initiative is part of a new program by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) called the Detention Support Grant Program (DEP).
The funding aims to help states build or enlarge temporary detention centers modeled after Florida’s facility known as “Alligator Alcatraz.”
According to FEMA documents, the program seeks to fast-track construction of these secure, temporary detention sites on state or local government land. This approach intends to bypass lengthy federal procurement delays typically seen in construction projects.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has promoted the Florida facility as a blueprint for other states. A DHS spokesperson told Fox News Digital that Noem has been clear that Alligator Alcatraz’s design could be replicated to assist state and local governments in managing migrant detention.
The grant program is part of FEMA’s broader Shelter and Services Program and applications are open through August 8, as per FEMA’s official announcement. States interested in expanding detention capacity can apply for this funding.
President Donald Trump visited the Alligator Alcatraz facility on July 1, praising it as “so professional” and “so well done.”
He called