Future of Ron DeSantis' controversial 'Alligator Alcatraz' ICE holding facility revealed

"President Trump secured record funding from Congress to set up permanent sites for detaining and deporting illegal aliens," the official noted, explaining, "As those sites come online, the need for Alligator Alcatraz as a holding area will wane."

"We continue to fully support the mission," they said. "And when it's no longer required, Alligator Alcatraz will return to the Everglades with Florida's commitment that it will never be developed."

That said, the official said the facility's 2.5-mile runway will remain available for large flights from neighboring ICE facilities.

Regarding the operational costs, the official said, "We also appreciate the federal government's commitment to reimbursing Florida for its immediate efforts to step in and help with this mission."

The official said that "since its inception, Alligator Alcatraz has processed over 21,000 illegal aliens for deportation."

"Needless to say, Alligator Alcatraz was a massive success," they added.

In a 2-1 decision, the majority on the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals found the state-run facility was not under federal control and was not subject to federal law requiring an environmental impact review.

"Florida, not federal, officials constructed the facility," the majority wrote. "They control the land and 'entirely' built the facility at state expense."

The facility is located at the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport site, an area surrounded by protected wetlands within the Everglades ecosystem, according to court filings.

The New York Times reported that Florida has been spending more than $1 million a day to run the center.

Fox News Digital's Landon Mion contributed to this report.