ORLANDO, Fla. — Florida’s government is in the process of seeking federal authorization for a third immigration detention facility in the state’s Panhandle. Governor Ron DeSantis confirmed this on Monday, following the establishment of two previous centers, widely referred to as ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ and ‘Deportation Depot.’
At a press briefing held outside the ‘Deportation Depot’ located at the former Baker Correctional Institution, DeSantis expressed optimism about the upcoming decision from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. He stated, “So, if they approve, we will open. If they don’t, then we will stand by, and that’s fine. But I think it should be approved since I don’t think they’re where they need to be on detention space.”
Additionally, DeSantis mentioned a possible fourth facility in South Florida, emphasizing the state’s commitment to increasing immigration detention capacity. He pointed out that Florida had recorded around 20,000 arrests of undocumented individuals over the past year, with a substantial portion of those having prior criminal convictions.
Despite government assurances about the necessity of these facilities, legal concerns regarding their conditions and operations continue to mount. Detainees at the Everglades facility have described deplorable conditions, including insufficient protection from rain and pressure to sign voluntary removal orders without proper legal consultation. Presently, three federal lawsuits have been filed challenging the legality and conditions of the facilities.
The ongoing legal battles suggest a complex landscape for DeSantis’s immigration initiatives. With critics pressing the state’s responsibility in the management of these facilities, the contentious nature of Florida’s immigration policies remains under scrutiny, as the state leads efforts aligned with the Trump administration's immigration crackdown.
At a press briefing held outside the ‘Deportation Depot’ located at the former Baker Correctional Institution, DeSantis expressed optimism about the upcoming decision from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. He stated, “So, if they approve, we will open. If they don’t, then we will stand by, and that’s fine. But I think it should be approved since I don’t think they’re where they need to be on detention space.”
Additionally, DeSantis mentioned a possible fourth facility in South Florida, emphasizing the state’s commitment to increasing immigration detention capacity. He pointed out that Florida had recorded around 20,000 arrests of undocumented individuals over the past year, with a substantial portion of those having prior criminal convictions.
Despite government assurances about the necessity of these facilities, legal concerns regarding their conditions and operations continue to mount. Detainees at the Everglades facility have described deplorable conditions, including insufficient protection from rain and pressure to sign voluntary removal orders without proper legal consultation. Presently, three federal lawsuits have been filed challenging the legality and conditions of the facilities.
The ongoing legal battles suggest a complex landscape for DeSantis’s immigration initiatives. With critics pressing the state’s responsibility in the management of these facilities, the contentious nature of Florida’s immigration policies remains under scrutiny, as the state leads efforts aligned with the Trump administration's immigration crackdown.
