DeSantis says temporary 'Alligator Alcatraz' staging was intended to aid federal processing; reimbursement approved but may be delayed

A reporter asked whether the temporary staging site described in the event as "Alligator Alcatraz" would close and who would bear the cost. Governor Ron DeSantis said the site was always intended to be temporary and was created because federal authorities lacked the capacity to hold and process some noncitizens.

"When we opened it... it was always intended to be temporary because we were only doing it because the federal government didn't have the resources to hold these people themselves," DeSantis said, adding that the state handled processing and staging while federal authorities determined final disposition.

On reimbursement, DeSantis said the federal government has approved reimbursement but that agencies such as FEMA do not always reimburse immediately. "The reimbursement is approved... but FEMA doesn't reimburse immediately. It just takes time," he said.

Context and official position: DeSantis framed the state's intervention as a stopgap measure to reduce the number of people released into Florida communities while federal processing capacity was limited. He said that if the federal government has available beds and processing elsewhere, the state would not need to operate such sites.

What reporters asked: The transcript includes a reporter question about the facility's cost to taxpayers and whether DHS or the federal government would reimburse the state. The governor responded that DHS reimbursement has been approved and that state officials expect payment but noted bureaucratic delays are common.

What remains unclear: The governor said he had not received formal notice that the facility would be closed, and the exact total cost to state and local taxpayers was not specified in the remarks.

Next steps: The governor said decisions about sending noncitizens to the site are made by federal authorities; the state will continue to assist if needed but prefers federal handling when capacity exists.