GUATEMALA CITY - Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has expressed support for Florida's controversial 'Alligator Alcatraz' plan, which proposes housing immigration detainees in a facility to be constructed in a Florida swamp [1][2][3][4][5].

The endorsement comes as part of the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) efforts to expand immigration detention capacity. Secretary Noem, speaking to The Associated Press during the conclusion of her Latin America trip on June 27, 2025, revealed that she has been reviewing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) contracts with various detention bed vendors [1][2][3][4][5].

'The ones with some of the vendors that we had, I felt were way too expensive, and that those vendors were not giving us fair prices,' Noem stated. 'So I went directly to states and to ask them if they could do a better job providing this service' [1][2][3][4][5].

The DHS has been actively reaching out to states and non-traditional ICE contractors to explore more cost-effective options for detention space. Florida's 'Alligator Alcatraz' proposal appears to be a direct response to this initiative [1][2][3][4][5].

While the plan has garnered attention for its unconventional approach, critics argue that housing detainees in a swamp environment raises significant humanitarian and safety concerns. The DHS has not yet provided details on how these concerns would be addressed [1][2][3][4][5].

As immigration policies continue to evolve, the 'Alligator Alcatraz' proposal highlights the ongoing challenges in managing detention facilities and the lengths to which states may go to secure federal contracts [1][2][3][4][5].

The development of this facility in Florida could have significant implications for local ecosystems, immigration policies, and the treatment of detainees. As the plan moves forward, it is likely to face scrutiny from environmental groups, human rights organizations, and immigration advocates [1][2][3][4][5].