Florida’s Second Immigration Detention Center in the Works

Florida is reportedly getting ready to open a second immigration detention center, alongside the existing Crocodile Alcatraz, as suggested by public records hinting at “northern detention facilities.”

According to the Department of Emergency Management, for a cost of $39,490, facilities will be equipped with a Weatherstem system and two lightning sirens.

The new site has been identified as Camp Blanding. Governor Ron DeSantis has been exploring the idea of converting Camp Blanding into Florida’s second immigration detention center for some time now but has stated he’ll wait until Crocodile Alcatraz is operating at full capacity.

“Once Alligator Alcatraz is filled, I want to be ready, so DHS has begun transferring a significant number of individuals. I think there’s a plan in motion. They’re even commencing deportations from there too,” he remarked. “Isn’t this place supposed to be like the Ritz-Carlton for detainees?”

He added, “But seriously, there’s only so fast we can process people. There’s an airport right there; they can go back home. That’s the reasoning behind this initiative. Once we ensure that capacity is met, we can proceed with Camp Blanding.”

“I’m not looking to set up Blanding at 60% capacity while Crocodile Alcatraz is at 40%. While Alligator Alcatraz has indeed expanded quickly, I’d prefer to manage everyone from the Crocodile facility,” DeSantis stated.

He also noted that there are various methods to utilize branding effectively, suggesting the potential to accommodate additional detainees within the existing setup, particularly by utilizing existing infrastructure.

“If we build temporary structures, we can efficiently reach those numbers… you know, we base these choices on real-world data,” he mentioned.

Around 600 detainees have reportedly been deported from Crocodile Alcatraz by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

During recent remarks, DeSantis drew attention to the fact that Camp Blanding also has a runway, though it’s not particularly large. He expressed uncertainty about whether it could serve as an equivalent to Crocodile Alcatraz.

“You could transfer people from there immediately. There’s a Cecil Field that’s quite nearby. So we’re left wondering—does this really make logistical sense? Again, I’m definitely not trying to turn this into a luxury experience for undocumented migrants.”