Documents detail Florida's Alligator Alcatraz spent estimated $388 million on clothing and bedding

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. —

Florida's Everglades detention facility, known as Alligator Alcatraz, has cost taxpayers nearly $1.5 billion, according to documents obtained by Gulf Coast News reporter Dave Elias, with expenses including construction, clothing, and medical care.

The facility's expenses include $626 million for construction, $388 million for clothing and bedding, and $143 million for medical care. Additional costs include $39,000 on pillows, $169,000 for boonie hats, and $17 million for roads and fencing.

Taxpayers have expressed frustration over the high costs. "Anything added to our already high taxes, I think they should change that," said Sandy Wray. Chaz Jarvis echoed this sentiment, saying, "I'm tired of it."

Emails reveal that FEMA flagged the spending as problematic and repeatedly demanded explanations for the costs, as the state even wanted a courtroom in the detention camp with immigration judges stationed there. Anna Eskamani, a representative from District 42, said, "As a legislative body, we have to reel in the governor."

Concerns arose that FEMA may not reimburse the state, despite the governor's Oct. 2 post claiming he was right about receiving federal funds for the facility.

Documents show the Trump administration paused reimbursement in the final months of 2025, citing administrative flaws, leaving the state responsible for the costs. Eskamani added, "It's time we chose shop and let the federal government operate as they will."

Local Republican lawmakers have not commented on the issue.

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