Florida’s New Immigration Detention Center Announced
In a recent announcement, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis shared plans for a new immigration detention facility, following the opening of Alligator Alcatraz just weeks prior. This new center, dubbed “Deportation Depot,” will be situated at Baker Correctional Facility, which is about 40 miles west of Jacksonville, and has the capacity to house over 1,000 detainees.
At a news conference, DeSantis emphasized the importance of this initiative as part of a broader effort to enforce immigration laws and secure the borders. He stated, “We are taking another step to support President Trump’s mission of securing borders, implementing immigration laws, and removing illegal aliens from our society.”
The governor pointed out Florida’s proactive measures compared to other states, highlighting that local law enforcement is mandated to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. This cooperation is a significant part of the state’s strategy to combat illegal immigration.
DeSantis noted that while Deportation Depot is expected to accommodate up to 1,300 individuals, the capacity could be increased if necessary. He also mentioned that the federal government would reimburse Florida for any expenses associated with this facility.
Similar to the previously opened Wani Alcatraz, this new site aims to bolster detention and deportation efforts under the Trump administration by providing additional resources for law enforcement to detain more undocumented immigrants.
“That’s the name of the game,” DeSantis added, expressing confidence in the swift execution of the project. He remarked that the emergency management department is working diligently to have it operational soon, although he was careful to note they are not rushing the process.
The concept for this facility emerged from a proposal by Florida Attorney General James Usmierer in June, seeking to transform unused airfields into large-scale detention centers for the purpose of supporting immigration enforcement efforts. In fact, deportation flights from Wani Alcatraz are already in operation.
Florida’s Everglades, an extensive area covering about 1.5 million acres, is estimated to host over 200,000 alligators, making the setting notable, if not slightly perilous, for such operations. Initially projected to cost around $450 million annually for the planned 5,000-bed capacity, this initiative faced legal challenges from environmentalists and other opposition groups.
In addition, the Trump administration is collaborating with officials in Indiana for another project named “Speedway Slammer,” which aims to expand detention options at Miami Correctional Center in Bunker Hill, Indiana, with an additional 1,000 beds.
