The Florida government, led by Republican Ron DeSantis, plans to build a second detention center for immigrants, this time in the northern part of the state.
The facility will be located at Camp Blanding, a National Guard training center about 43 kilometers from Jacksonville.
The information was published by the Associated Press (AP), which revealed that at least one contract has already been awarded for the installation of a weather station and alert sirens, confirming the state's intention to expand its immigration infrastructure.
The new center, temporarily named "North Detention Facility", would join the controversial complex located in the Everglades, nicknamed “Alligator Alcatraz”, which began operations on July 1 and has been the subject of multiple complaints from civil rights groups and environmentalists.
According to AP, the detainees in that initial center have reported a lack of food, inadequate medical care, absence of legal representation, and detentions without charges or access to immigration courts.
Despite these accusations, both President Donald Trump and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem have praised the detention model as a possible reference for future state facilities.
Governor DeSantis recently declared that Florida is "ready, willing, and able" to expand deportations, although he conditioned the full opening of the new center on an increase in the rate of expulsions from the southern part of the state.
The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM), responsible for building the first center, published a strongly worded draft of the evacuation plan for the facility.
Complete sections regarding the relocation and transport of detainees were concealed under a state law that allows emergency plans to be kept confidential.
In response to criticism regarding the lack of transparency, the director of the FDEM, Kevin Guthrie, defended the security of the facility, assuring that it is designed to withstand category 2 hurricanes.
The governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis, has maintained his strategy of tightening immigration controls by promoting new facilities for the detention of immigrants.
Months ago, he proposed the creation of a second center, despite the criticisms and complaints against the first one, known as “Alligator Alcatraz,” for alleged abuses and inadequate conditions.
The new center has been described as necessary by the authorities to "absorb the overload" of detentions, while deportations are being expedited.
The state administration has defended the model, arguing that it allows for more efficient control, although civil rights organizations have warned about the lack of basic legal guarantees for detainees.
On his part, Donald Trump announced his intention to build five additional megacenters nationwide if he returns to power, aligning his vision with that of DeSantis. Both leaders view this network of centers as a central pillar of their immigration policies, despite criticism for its potentially punitive nature.
In support of these initiatives, Congress approved a budget of 608 million dollars for immigration infrastructure, aimed at improving existing facilities and creating new detention spaces, which has been interpreted as a strengthening of national border control.
Additionally, the expansion of military bases in states like New York and California for immigration purposes has been confirmed by the federal government, suggesting a comprehensive strategy where military facilities serve parallel functions to civilian centers, amid increasing scrutiny regarding the legality and transparency of these practices.
Frequently Asked Questions About Immigration Detention Centers in Florida
Where will the new immigrant detention center be located in Florida?
The new detention center will be located at Camp Blanding, a training center for the National Guard located about 43 kilometers from Jacksonville, in northern Florida.
What criticisms has the "Alligator Alcatraz" detention center received?
"Alligator Alcatraz" has been the subject of multiple criticisms from human rights organizations, Democratic politicians, and environmental groups due to reported inhumane conditions, such as lack of proper food, inadequate medical care, and the absence of legal representation for detainees. Additionally, its location in the Everglades has raised environmental concerns.
What environmental impact could the new detention center in Camp Blanding have?
Although the specific impact of the center in Camp Blanding has not yet been detailed, concerns focus on its location in a military training area and the potential expansion of immigration infrastructure in Florida, which has already drawn criticism for its impact on the ecosystems of the Everglades.
What actions has the Florida government taken to expand its immigration infrastructure?
The Florida government has awarded contracts for the installation of infrastructure at the new detention center in Camp Blanding, and has defended the construction of "Alligator Alcatraz" as part of its immigration strategy. In addition, it has expressed its willingness to expand deportations and build more detention centers in the future.
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