WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump announced Sunday night that he is directing federal agencies to rebuild and reopen Alcatraz Island as a federal detention center — signaling a return to hardline criminal justice policies.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the historic facility would house what he called the most ruthless “repeat Criminal Offenders,” including illegal immigrants whose deportations have been delayed or blocked by court rulings.
“REBUILD, AND OPEN ALCATRAZ!” Trump wrote. “For too long, America has been plagued by vicious, violent, and repeat Criminal Offenders, the dregs of society, who will never contribute anything other than Misery and Suffering.”
The president characterized the move as a necessary response to what he described as the failures of the current justice system, citing federal judges whom he claims have unnecessarily obstructed the deportation of noncitizens with criminal convictions.
Trump directed multiple federal agencies — including the Bureau of Prisons, Department of Justice, FBI and Department of Homeland Security — to collaborate on expanding and reopening the facility, which closed in 1963.
“We will no longer be held hostage to criminals, thugs and Judges that are afraid to do their job and allow us to remove criminals, who came into our Country illegally,” he added. The reopening of ALCATRAZ will serve as a symbol of Law, Order, and JUSTICE. We will, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
The post included a black-and-white photo of Alcatraz from its operational years, echoing Trump’s broader campaign themes of returning to past forms of law enforcement and national authority.
Alcatraz’s Legacy and Costs
Alcatraz Island, located in San Francisco Bay, was first developed into a military post in the mid-19th century and later into a federal prison. Between 1934 and 1963, it housed some of the country’s most infamous criminals, including Al Capone and George “Machine Gun” Kelly.
The prison was eventually closed due to high operational costs and deteriorating infrastructure. Isolated and logistically difficult to maintain, Alcatraz cost more than triple per inmate compared to other prisons at the time. By 1963, extensive repairs were needed, and the Bureau of Prisons had begun shifting toward correctional models focused on rehabilitation rather than isolation.
Cross-Border Tensions with Mexico
Trump’s announcement came the same day he confirmed offering to send U.S. troops into Mexico to combat drug cartels — a proposal that Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum flatly rejected.
“She is so afraid of the cartels she can’t even think straight,” Trump said aboard Air Force One. He nevertheless called Sheinbaum “a lovely woman.”
In response, Sheinbaum reiterated her position that any foreign military presence would violate Mexico’s sovereignty.
“We can collaborate. We can work together,” she said. “But you in your territory and us in ours… we will never accept the presence of the United States Army in our territory.”
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The sooner it is running, the better!
And get the moment of judgment for all of the 20 million illegal aliens in this country illegally over and done. Mass hearings, expecially if the wishes are all the same, to stay here illegally because they do not qualify as oppressed in any nation they come from,.
-They speak no english which is this nation’s language
-They have been on our welfare since they crossed the border
-They expect that we would still support them.
-And, theiir children would be unable to attend regular schools being far behind their age group, not knowing english, and not the least bit interested in schools and catching up at considerable expense to accomodate these little darlings via bilingual teachers perpetuating this joke.
The Standish Max facility in Standish , Michigan is currently closed and would make a great place for illegals awaiting deportation. Trump administration should be talking to Whitmer.
That little island in the bay is much too small to house all the people that SHOULD be there. How about building a place in Northern Alaska ? There’s room for ALL the unprosecuted criminals walking around, including the complete Swamp, Lie-beral Demonocrats and their groupies, the RINOs !