Florida has so far received no federal funds for 'Alligator Alcatraz'

In a new court filing, the Department of Homeland Security says that so far, Florida has not even applied for any federal funds for "Alligator Alcatraz" yet.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Despite assurances from both President Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis that federal money would be used to operate the controversial Everglades immigrant detention center, the state has so far received “no federal funds,” according to court documents filed Thursday by the Department of Homeland Security.

In filings in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, DHS officials said that the facility has relied only on state funding so far and that Florida has not yet applied for federal funding.

“Florida has received no federal funds, nor has it applied for federal funds related to the temporary detention center,” it reads. “Courts cannot adjudicate hypothetical future funding decisions or render advisory opinions on contingent scenarios that never materialize.”

The filing was the agency’s response to a lawsuit filed by two environmental groups asking that the facility be shuttered. DHS argued it has no such authority because the department has not “implemented, authorized, directed, or funded Florida’s temporary detention center.”

The facility, dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz,” gained national attention even ahead of its opening Tuesday. Trump and some of his top administration officials joined state officials for a tour of the facility, and the president said he’d like to see similar facilities constructed in other states. It is expected to cost $450 million a year to operate, according to Florida officials.