miami
How costly was Alligator Alcatraz?
By CBS Miami at CBS4 Miami
· June 28, 2026
· 1 min read
Open for less than a year, Alligator Alcatraz will likely turn out to be the single most expensive immigration detention center in the history of the United States. A review of financial records by CBS News Miami found it cost taxpayers twenty times more to house a prisoner at Alligator Alcatraz tha
Key takeaway A review of financial records by CBS News Miami found it cost taxpayers twenty times more to house a prisoner at Alligator Alcatraz than at most other detention centers around the country.
Why this matters in The Miami
The closure of Alligator Alcatraz raises questions about the financial burden on Miami-Dade County taxpayers, who ultimately contribute to the federal budget. As the most expensive immigration detention center in US history, its brief operation will have long-term implications for local funding priorities. With the county already facing significant expenses related to hurricane preparedness and sea-level rise mitigation, the added cost of Alligator Alcatraz will likely impact budget allocations for essential services, including the Miami-Dade County Public Schools and the Miami Police Department. The financial records reviewed by CBS News Miami reveal a stark contrast between the costs of operating Alligator Alcatraz and other detention centers nationwide, prompting concerns about the efficient use of taxpayer dollars in South Florida. As the community moves forward, it will be crucial to examine how such costly projects are approved and managed to avoid similar financial missteps in the future.
About this story
Original reporting by CBS4 Miami . The Miami surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit CBS4 Miami . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: miami ·
Published: June 28, 2026 ·
Source: CBS4 Miami ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Open for less than a year, Alligator Alcatraz will likely turn out to be the single most expensive immigration detention center in the history of the United States. A review of financial records by CBS News Miami found it cost taxpayers twenty times more to house a prisoner at Alligator Alcatraz tha
When was this published? This article was first published on June 28, 2026 by CBS4 Miami and curated for The Miami readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by CBS Miami at CBS4 Miami. To learn more about how The Miami selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more miami coverage from The Miami, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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