A Florida Division of Emergency Management report shows nearly $600 million was spent on immigration enforcement efforts led by Gov. Ron DeSantis over three years, with $573 million earmarked for "Operation Vigilant Sentry." The document also records almost $150 million for evacuations from Israel and humanitarian aid in Haiti. The report — delivered two weeks late under a new law — lists $6.54 billion in total emergency spending but provides limited contract detail and notes federal reimbursements have not yet been received.
Report: Florida Spent Nearly $600M on DeSantis-Led Immigration Enforcement, $150M on Overseas Evacuations and Aid
A newly released 15-page report from Florida's Division of Emergency Management (DEM) shows the state spent roughly $600 million over three years on immigration enforcement activities initiated by Gov. Ron DeSantis, alongside nearly $150 million on missions to evacuate and assist Americans from Israel and provide humanitarian aid in Haiti.
Key Spending Details
The report, turned over to the Florida Legislature about two weeks late under a recently enacted state law, breaks out $573 million for an effort labeled "Operation Vigilant Sentry." More than $484 million of that sum was recorded as spending on related "projects," while roughly $29 million is identified as purchased inventory — items such as radios, helicopter engines, vans and trailers. The document does not include contract-level details.
Emergency Powers And Procurement
DeSantis first declared a state of emergency on immigration in early 2023; that declaration remains active and has been renewed several times. During declared emergencies, the state is exempt from standard procurement rules — a point critics have highlighted as they push for greater transparency about how funds were spent.
Federal Reimbursement, Facilities And Controversy
Although federal officials have pledged reimbursements, the DEM report indicates Florida has not yet received any of the more than $600 million expected. One focal point of controversy is a detention site identified in the report as the "South Florida Detention Facility," widely known in media coverage as "Alligator Alcatraz," a repurposed air landing strip that has drawn legal challenges and public criticism. A DEM spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment.
Other Emergency Missions
The attached spreadsheet in the report totals $6.54 billion in emergency-related spending across multiple declarations. Among mission-specific expenditures, the state reports nearly $95 million spent to evacuate more than 700 U.S. citizens from Israel after the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks and again in June 2025, and more than $44 million on humanitarian aid and assistance related to Haiti — figures the report groups together at roughly $150 million.
Activations And Political Reactions
The report also summarizes responses to storms such as Hurricane Ian and notes activations of the state's Emergency Operations Center (EOC), including during the "No Kings Day" protests in June 2025. State Sen. Nick DiCeglie, the sponsor of the law that required the report, said he was still reviewing the details but said the goal was to add "a little more transparency." Sen. Jason Pizzo reacted with profanity in a text upon learning the immigration spending total, while Senate Democratic Leader Lori Berman responded, "Wow."
Timing And Legislative Context
The report was released days before a Senate panel was scheduled to consider legislation to preserve a trust fund created at DeSantis' request to make emergency funds more readily accessible. That timing has drawn attention from lawmakers and watchdogs interested in how emergency authorities and funds are being used.
Bottom line: The DEM document provides the most detailed statewide accounting to date of the DeSantis administration's emergency-driven immigration operations, while leaving open questions about contract specifics, oversight and the timing of promised federal reimbursements.
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