DeSantis Announces New Immigration Detention Facility in Florida

Just a few weeks after launching Alligator Alcatraz, Florida’s Republican Governor Ron DeSantis shared plans for a second immigration detention center in the state.

This new facility, dubbed “Deportation Depot,” will be set up at Baker Correctional Facility, located about 40 miles west of Jacksonville. It’s expected to have over 1,000 detention beds. DeSantis made this announcement during a press conference, noting that the plan comes on the heels of the opening of Wani Alcatraz, a national immigration detention center situated deep within the Florida Everglades.

“We are taking another step to support President Trump’s mission of securing the borders, enforcing immigration laws, and removing illegal immigrants from our communities,” DeSantis stated. He emphasized that Florida is more proactive in regard to immigration enforcement than any other state, pointing to local law enforcement’s cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and how his government has worked to prevent illegal immigration.

Deportation Depot is expected to accommodate up to 1,300 beds, but according to DeSantis, that capacity could be increased if necessary. The federal government will reimburse Florida for any costs related to this facility.

Similar to Wani Alcatraz, the goal of this new site is to enhance the Trump administration’s efforts in detaining and deporting undocumented immigrants by supplying additional resources to ICE agents. “That’s the name of the game,” DeSantis remarked.

He added, “The emergency management department is moving quickly on this. It will be operational soon. We’re not rushing it, but we’re also not dragging our feet.”

The initial idea for Crocodile Alcatraz, which aims to convert underutilized airfields into large detention facilities, was proposed by Florida Attorney General James Usmierer back in June. This initiative supports the Trump administration’s stringent immigration enforcement measures, and deportation flights from Wani Alcatraz are already in progress.

The Everglades, covering about 1.5 million acres, is estimated to be home to over 200,000 alligators, making it a perilous area. The project, which is projected to cost around $450 million annually, was initially intended to include 5,000 beds for illegal immigrants and other individuals under federal custody. However, it has faced legal challenges from environmental activists.

Additionally, the Trump administration is collaborating with officials in Indiana to initiate “Speedway Slammer,” a project designed to expand detention capacity by adding 1,000 beds at the Miami Correctional Center in Bunker Hill, Indiana.