ICE seeks 700 new migrant detention beds in Miami post-Alligator Alcatraz closure

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is actively seeking to expand its detention capacity in the Miami area by identifying providers for at least 700 new beds. This move comes in the wake of the closure of the Alligator Alcatraz detention center located west of Miami, signaling a need to maintain operational capabilities for the federal immigration system in South Florida.

A request for information published on the official System for Award Management (SAM) portal outlines ICE's requirements. The agency is looking for companies that can establish these facilities within a maximum of 30 days after a contract is awarded. While priority will be given to existing, ready-to-operate properties, ICE will also consider buildings requiring modifications and even new construction projects.

The planned facilities must provide essential services for detainees, including accommodation, meals, laundry, and access to medical and recreational services. The agency also indicated a preference for complexes with high security standards, exclusively designated for individuals in immigration custody. This expansion aims to address the increasing number of arrests and ensure adequate housing for migrants.

Data from TRAC Immigration, a project by Syracuse University, indicates that over 65,000 individuals were housed in ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) facilities as of July 2026. This figure represents a significant increase of approximately 65% compared to the beginning of Donald Trump's second presidential term. In June alone, ICE and CBP conducted over 43,000 arrests, marking the highest monthly total since January 2025. The federal government's reliance on private contractors to expand migrant housing infrastructure is a well-established practice, with most ICE detainees already housed in privately managed facilities.