TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — As Florida waits on hundreds of millions of dollars in federal reimbursement for migrant detention facilities, including “Alligator Alcatraz,” new court filings suggest that money may not be guaranteed.

In a federal lawsuit brought by environmental groups, U.S. Department of Justice attorneys said the $608 million in federal reimbursement the state is counting on is not assured.

Even if funding comes through, they said it would not cover construction costs.

According to the filings, any potential FEMA funding would be limited to reimbursing operational expenses, such as housing detainees.

The Justice Department also noted that no federal money has been committed to building the facility, which was constructed and funded by the state.

That appears to contradict earlier claims from state and federal leaders that Washington would largely foot the bill, and raises the possibility that Florida taxpayers could end up covering most of the cost.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said last month the state would be reimbursed.

“We’re getting reimbursed on this,” he said on Jan. 5. “I know there’s a lot of people, when I first said we’re doing, ‘Oh, you know, how are you going to get like, we’re going to get reimbursed. And now they acknowledge that.”

Democrats are now pressing Republicans to ensure that happens.

“They should use their pull with the White House in order to reimburse the taxpayers of Florida,” state Sen. Tina Polsky, (D), said. “Let’s see what kind of moxie they have to get this done, because then they put us in a tremendous hole.”

A DeSantis administration official dismissed the court filings as a “legal strategy” and said the state remains confident it will ultimately be reimbursed by the federal government.

Republican lawmakers who back the detention sites say they are hopeful.

“We’ve got commitment from Secretary of State, which has ties to South Florida, and again, our congressional delegation,” state Rep. Alex Rizo, (R), said. “I think we’re going to work to that end to make sure that Florida is made whole.”

Florida has already spent more than $573 million in state emergency funds on immigration enforcement and the controversial detention facilities.

The issue has become a flashpoint in the Legislature, where some lawmakers are advancing proposals this year to rein in the governor’s emergency spending powers with added oversight and guardrails.

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