NOTE: VIDEO AT THE END OF THE ARTICLE.
Tom Homan, appointed by Donald Trump as Border Czar in his second administration, pushed back on criticism surrounding the cost of a new migrant detention facility in Florida during an interview Tuesday on NewsNation with Chris Cuomo. The facility, which President Trump toured the same day, is estimated to cost $450 million and has been nicknamed “Alligator Alcatraz” due to its fortified structure and swampy surroundings.
Located in southern Florida, the complex is designed to house up to 5,000 illegal migrants and foreign nationals. While critics — particularly Democrats — have raised concerns about the price tag, Homan argued that the facility is not only justified but represents a dramatic improvement in cost-efficiency compared to the Biden administration’s approach to immigration.
“Well, let’s compare it to the last administration,” Homan said. “They’re putting illegal aliens in hotel rooms in New York City for like 500 bucks a night. That’s a fact. And on top of that, they were covering meals, medical care, and access to attorneys.”
Throughout Joe Biden’s presidency, a record number of illegal migrants crossed the southern border, straining cities and states nationwide. In response, the Department of Homeland Security allocated over $1.4 billion in federal relief between 2023 and 2024 through FEMA’s Shelter and Services Program (SSP), which helped municipalities cover housing, food, and services for migrants.
Homan noted that many of those taxpayer dollars went toward hotel stays in sanctuary cities like New York. In fiscal year 2023 alone, New York City spent $1.45 billion on migrant-related services. By 2024, Mayor Eric Adams began cutting back, citing a $12 billion budget deficit.
In contrast, the new Florida facility provides a centralized, streamlined approach. “I was briefed that the cost per bed here is just under $300, and that includes three meals a day, doctors, nurses — the full package,” Homan explained.
One of the key cost-saving features of the facility is its built-in airstrip. “We can now fly people out directly from Florida. That eliminates the need to send detainees across multiple states for deportation hearings or flights,” Homan said. “That one feature alone saves a ton on transportation.”
He also emphasized that the facility will host immigration hearings on-site, allowing for faster processing and removals.
“This isn’t just about enforcement — it’s about efficiency and fiscal responsibility,” Homan concluded. “Compared to what the last administration was spending per migrant per night, this facility is a huge win for taxpayers.”
Trump’s visit to the facility underscores his campaign’s emphasis on border security heading into the 2026 midterms, with Homan playing a central role in implementing new immigration enforcement strategies.
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