President Donald Trump has directed federal agencies to rebuild and reopen Alcatraz Island as a high-security prison, aiming to detain violent repeat offenders and criminal illegal aliens. The announcement, made on May 4, 2025, via Truth Social, positions the move as a response to what Trump describes as “radicalized judges” obstructing immigration enforcement efforts.
Alcatraz, decommissioned in 1963 due to high operational costs, is currently managed by the National Park Service as a tourist destination. Trump’s plan involves collaboration among the Bureau of Prisons, Department of Justice, FBI, and Homeland Security to reconstruct and expand the facility. He emphasized that the reopened prison would symbolize a renewed commitment to law, order, and justice.
Critics, including Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi and State Senator Scott Wiener, have dismissed the proposal as impractical, citing the island’s deteriorated infrastructure and its status as a protected national park. Experts note that the prison lacks essential utilities and would require complete reconstruction to meet modern standards.
Despite logistical and legal challenges, the Trump administration is moving forward with the initiative, framing it as part of a broader strategy to address crime and enforce immigration laws.
