McDowell Introduces ALCATRAZ Act to Boost Detention Capacity

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Addison McDowell (NC-06) introduced the Accelerated Logistics and Coordination for Arresting, Transporting, and Removing 

Aliens Zones (ALCATRAZ) Act, legislation to support state-run detention facilities for illegal aliens by redirecting wasteful Biden-era spending.

“Alligator Alcatraz has provided a model for quickly and efficiently opening new detention facilities to temporarily house illegal aliens before deportation. Instead of housing illegals in swanky hotels, it’s time to expand on this model and disincentivize what has been seen as a free ride,”  said Congressman McDowell. “Through the ALCATRAZ Act, we will rapidly expand our available bed space for illegal aliens and facilitate their swift deportations. We could even see the creation of a Tar Heel Tank right here in North Carolina.”

What the ALCATRAZ Act Does:

• Creates a Detention and Logistics Program at DHS to reimburse state and local governments for their efforts to build and operate new migrant detention facilities.
• Transfers the remaining funds of the Shelter and Services Program to the new Detention and Logistics Program.
• Requires DHS to submit to Congress a plan for working with states to open new migrant detention facilities.
• Requires DHS to identify a list of underutilized, wasteful, or redundant accounts whose funds could be better utilized by the Detention and Logistics Program.

Alligator Alcatraz is a state-run detention facility in Florida designed to house thousands of illegal aliens and facilitate their rapid deportations. The Trump administration is reimbursing Florida with a fund that the Biden administration used to house illegals in luxury hotels.

ORIGINAL COSPONSORS: Congressman Pat Harrigan (NC-10), Congressman Tim Moore (NC-14), Congressman Barry Moore (AL-01), Congressman Byron Donalds (FL-19), Congresswoman Laurel Lee (FL-15), Congresswoman Lauren Boebert (CO-04)

"We need to restore common sense and accountability to our immigration system and Rep. McDowell’s ALCATRAZ Act does just that,” said Congressman Barry Moore. “States like Florida and Indiana are stepping up where Biden Administration bureaucrats failed, and this bill makes sure they have the resources to do it. If we’re serious about securing the border, we must expand detention capacity and end the days of illegal aliens being housed in luxury hotels on the taxpayers’ dime. This is about placing law, order, and American communities first."

“The ALCATRAZ Act is about ending the revolving door at our border. States stepping up to build and operate detention facilities should be backed, not blocked, by Washington. I’m proud to cosponsor this bill because it delivers the infrastructure needed to detain and remove illegal aliens while restoring order to a broken system,” said Congressman Pat Harrigan.

“Florida has seen firsthand the strain that illegal immigration places on our communities, our resources, and our law enforcement. The ALCATRAZ Act ensures that states like Florida will have the support they need to detain and remove illegal aliens swiftly and securely. By cutting off wasteful spending and directing funds where they are most urgently needed, this bill strengthens our ability to enforce the law, protect our communities, and restore order at the border,” said Congresswoman Laurel Lee.

“President Trump needs Congress to step up and codify his work to keep American families safe and lock up violent criminal aliens. The ALCATRAZ Act gives the Trump Administration resources needed to directly work with states and sends a message to cartels and human traffickers: the days of shelter and safety for criminals in America are done,” said Congresswoman Lauren Boebert.

The ALCATRAZ Act reinforces efforts to combat illegal immigration and crack down on wasteful spending. By using Biden-era spending to detain illegal aliens, we will ensure resources meant to address the border crisis are used to solve the problem.

Read the full bill text here.

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