Speaking at a press conference in Florida, Noem praised the state’s Alligator Alcatraz facility—an isolated detention site surrounded by subtropical wetlands filled with alligators, crocodiles, and pythons—as a successful example of state-federal partnership. “We’ve had several other states that are actually using Alligator Alcatraz as a model,” she said.

The original facility, located about 37 miles from Miami, was designed to deter escapes and reduce the need for high-tech perimeter systems. Critics have long condemned its harsh environmental conditions and limited access for legal and humanitarian services.

Broader Push For State-Led Enforcement

Noem’s announcement comes as Republican governors increasingly take immigration enforcement into their own hands, especially in light of the Biden administration’s changing federal enforcement guidelines. By working directly with states, the Department of Homeland Security aims to expand detention capacity without relying on centralized federal facilities.

Though the names of the five states have not been disclosed, the initiative reflects a broader shift toward regionalized immigration enforcement strategies. Civil liberties groups have already voiced concern that expanding such remote and militarized facilities could endanger detainee rights and increase human rights violations.

The Biden administration has not yet publicly responded to Noem’s plan, though Democratic lawmakers are expected to raise questions about its legality and oversight.