President Donald Trump announced plans to reopen and expand Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary in San Francisco Bay to detain "America’s most ruthless and violent criminals," sparking fierce debate over the feasibility and intent of the proposal.

The directive, issued via Truth Social on May 4, 2025, aims to transform the historic prison, shuttered since 1963, into a modern facility for repeat offenders and, implicitly, illegal aliens accused of crimes.

"REBUILD, AND OPEN ALCATRAZ! 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." Trump wrote. "No longer will we tolerate these Serial Offenders who spread filth, bloodshed, and mayhem on our streets."

The Bureau of Prisons, Department of Justice, FBI, and Department of Homeland Security have been tasked with executing the plan, which includes upgrading the facility’s crumbling infrastructure.

Alcatraz, a National Historic Landmark and popular tourist site managed by the National Park Service, draws 1.2 million visitors annually. Its conversion would require significant funding and jurisdictional changes, neither of which have been detailed.

The announcement drew sharp criticism from California officials and civil rights advocates. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., dismissed the proposal as impractical. "This is not a serious plan; it’s a distraction from the chaos of his tariff policies and legal battles," Pelosi said in a statement. A spokesperson for Gov. Gavin Newsom echoed her sentiment, calling it "a political stunt that ignores the realities of federal prison capacity."

Civil rights attorney Scott Hechinger argued the focus on Alcatraz diverts attention from broader issues. "This is a sensational distraction from Trump’s $1 billion cut to anti-crime programs," Hechinger said. "We need investment in communities, not symbolic gestures."

Supporters, however, see the move as a bold step toward restoring public safety. "President Trump is sending a clear message: Violent criminals will face consequences," said Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., in a statement. "Reopening Alcatraz shows we’re done with soft-on-crime nonsense."

Trump also linked the initiative to his immigration agenda. He criticized "radicalized judges" for granting due process to undocumented immigrants, delaying deportations.

"Criminals who came into our country illegally will be locked up or sent back," he wrote, referencing ongoing legal disputes over deporting alleged gang members to El Salvador’s CECOT prison and opening a Guantanamo Bay facility for "criminal aliens."

Experts question the plan’s practicality. Alcatraz closed in 1963 due to operational costs three times higher than other federal prisons, requiring $3 million to $5 million in maintenance alone, according to historical records.

A 2024 contract awarded $50 million just to preserve the site for tourism. The island lacks fresh water, and 16 other high-security federal prisons currently have available capacity, said criminologist John Pfaff.

"The logistics are daunting," Pfaff said. "Renovating Alcatraz would cost hundreds of millions, and it’s unclear why existing facilities can’t suffice."

The Bureau of Prisons confirmed it would comply with Trump’s directive but provided no timeline or cost estimates. The National Park Service, which oversees Alcatraz, declined to comment on potential jurisdictional shifts.

Trump’s push comes amid heightened tensions over crime and immigration, key themes of his 2024 campaign. While supporters view the Alcatraz plan as a return to "law and order," critics argue it risks inflaming divisions without addressing root causes.

As the debate unfolds, the fate of the iconic prison remains uncertain, its symbolic weight overshadowing logistical realities.

The proposal requires congressional approval for funding and land-use changes, which could face resistance in a divided Congress. For now, Alcatraz remains a tourist destination, its future as a prison hanging in the balance.