Florida is moving forward with plans to establish a third immigration detention center, with Governor Ron DeSantis indicating that the state is currently awaiting federal approval from the Department of Homeland Security. At a press conference, DeSantis discussed the potential locations, including the state’s Panhandle region and additional options in South Florida. The announcement follows the establishment of two facilities known colloquially as 'Alligator Alcatraz' and 'Deportation Depot.'
DeSantis emphasized the need for increased detention capacity to facilitate the deportation of undocumented immigrants, highlighting the state’s collaboration with federal law enforcement. According to the governor, law enforcement in Florida has recorded approximately 20,000 arrests of those unlawfully present in the U.S. over the past year. This figure includes 10,000 arrests made through state initiatives and another 10,000 by local authorities, with 63% of these arrests involving individuals with prior criminal records.
Despite the push for expansion, Florida's existing detention centers are drawing scrutiny. Critics point to alleged deplorable conditions at the Everglades facility, where detainees have reported flooding and inadequate access to legal representation. Three ongoing federal lawsuits challenge the legality and operational conditions of the Everglades site, arguing that immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility, and that detainees' rights to private attorney-client communications are being violated. While a federal judge ordered the gradual suspension of operations at this facility due to environmental concerns, an appellate court has temporarily blocked this ruling, allowing the center to remain operational.
Governor DeSantis remains optimistic about the need for additional detention space, suggesting that the proposed centers will help meet the demand for detaining and deporting undocumented migrants during an era of strict immigration enforcement endorsed by the former Trump administration. The state’s developments are part of a broader trend among Republican-led states to increase their own immigration detention capabilities.
DeSantis emphasized the need for increased detention capacity to facilitate the deportation of undocumented immigrants, highlighting the state’s collaboration with federal law enforcement. According to the governor, law enforcement in Florida has recorded approximately 20,000 arrests of those unlawfully present in the U.S. over the past year. This figure includes 10,000 arrests made through state initiatives and another 10,000 by local authorities, with 63% of these arrests involving individuals with prior criminal records.
Despite the push for expansion, Florida's existing detention centers are drawing scrutiny. Critics point to alleged deplorable conditions at the Everglades facility, where detainees have reported flooding and inadequate access to legal representation. Three ongoing federal lawsuits challenge the legality and operational conditions of the Everglades site, arguing that immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility, and that detainees' rights to private attorney-client communications are being violated. While a federal judge ordered the gradual suspension of operations at this facility due to environmental concerns, an appellate court has temporarily blocked this ruling, allowing the center to remain operational.
Governor DeSantis remains optimistic about the need for additional detention space, suggesting that the proposed centers will help meet the demand for detaining and deporting undocumented migrants during an era of strict immigration enforcement endorsed by the former Trump administration. The state’s developments are part of a broader trend among Republican-led states to increase their own immigration detention capabilities.
