DeSantis Pushes for 'Alligator Alcatraz' Amid Budget Dispute

Governor says Florida must act as federal government lacks resources to handle immigration detainees.

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is defending the state's funding for immigration detention facilities, known as 'Alligator Alcatraz', amid a legislative push to limit the use of emergency funds for such purposes. DeSantis argues that if Florida doesn't maintain these facilities, the federal government will be forced to release undocumented immigrants, including those with criminal records, rather than having the resources to detain them.

Why it matters

This dispute highlights the ongoing tensions between state and federal authorities over immigration enforcement, with DeSantis positioning Florida as a key player in detaining and processing undocumented immigrants. The outcome could impact how Florida allocates its emergency funds and the state's role in federal immigration efforts.

The details

DeSantis is pushing back against a House committee bill that would require certain emergency funds in the state budget to be used only for natural disasters, not detention facilities. The governor argues that if Florida doesn't maintain these 'Alligator Alcatraz' facilities, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will lack the capacity to detain and process undocumented immigrants, leading to their release. DeSantis believes the federal government is working to build up its own detention resources, but that it will likely take over a year before DHS is ready to fully handle the mission on its own.

  • On February 17, 2026, Governor DeSantis made these comments in Titusville, Florida.
  • Last week, the Florida Senate approved legislation (SB 7040) reauthorizing the existence of the emergency fund that DeSantis wants to use for detention facilities.

The players

Ron DeSantis

The Governor of Florida who is defending the state's funding for immigration detention facilities known as 'Alligator Alcatraz'.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

The federal agency that DeSantis says is working to build up its own detention and processing capacity for undocumented immigrants, but is currently relying on Florida's facilities.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The folks in the Legislature have campaigned on this stuff for many, many years. And so I'd be very surprised if they were going to do anything that was going to lead to the release of really significant numbers of criminal aliens and handicap our ability to protect Florida's shores.”

— Ron DeSantis, Governor (floridapolitics.com)

“We're helping because if we don't do it, you're going to have a lot of illegal aliens, including criminal aliens, that are going to be released, not because DHS wants to do that, but because they have no place to be able to put them.”

— Ron DeSantis, Governor (floridapolitics.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow the emergency fund to be used for the 'Alligator Alcatraz' detention facilities as DeSantis has proposed.

The takeaway

This dispute underscores the ongoing power struggle between state and federal authorities over immigration enforcement, with Florida positioning itself as a key player in detaining and processing undocumented immigrants despite federal efforts to build up its own capacity. The outcome could have significant implications for how Florida allocates its emergency funds and the state's role in federal immigration efforts going forward.