Alaska Jokes About Building “Bear Alcatraz” for Immigration Detention

In a lighthearted remark, Alaska joked about creating a “Bear Alcatraz” as a potential detention facility for illegal migrants, amid ongoing discussions at the federal level. The White House has encouraged Republican-led states to collaborate with federal authorities to establish similar detention centers across the country.

This playful comment came days after Florida unveiled a new large-scale immigration detention center, dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz,” designed to hold hundreds of migrants. The Florida facility’s name references the region’s reputation for alligators and snakes.

Alaska responded to the joke by stating, “We don’t have alligators, but we have lots of bears,” in a statement to Fox News’ “The Ingraham Angle.” However, the state clarified that there are no serious plans to build an Alaska version of Alligator Alcatraz.

Meanwhile, officials, including White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, have called on GOP governors to assist in federal efforts to combat illegal immigration by establishing detention sites in their states. Miller urged state leaders to work with the Department of Homeland Security to build facilities that can hold migrants and criminal suspects.

Florida’s Attorney General, James Uthmeier, announced a proposal to construct a detention center surrounded by alligators and pythons on a 39-square-mile plot, emphasizing the state’s resolve on the issue. This has sparked a broader conversation about the use of regional facilities for immigration enforcement.

Florida officials have expressed confidence in their plans, with the attorney general proclaiming, “Alligator Alcatraz, we’re ready to go.”