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The governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis, announced this Thursday the opening of a second detention center for immigrants at a state prison in the northern part of the state, known as “Deportation Depot,” which will be located at the Baker Correctional Institution, about 70 kilometers west of Jacksonville.
According to a report by the agency AP, this new center is part of the state's strategy to expand immigration detention capacity in coordination with the administration of President Donald Trump.
DeSantis defended the measure, asserting that "there is demand" and that he is "confident it will be filled."
The announcement comes as a federal judge evaluates the situation of the first immigration center in Florida, known as “Alligator Alcatraz”, located on a remote airstrip in the Everglades.
The new center will initially have 1,300 beds for detainees, although authorities said it could be expanded to 2,000.
The governor emphasized that the estimated cost of the site's renovation will be six million dollars, significantly lower than the budget for the center in the Everglades, which exceeds 245 million, according to Fox 13.
During a press conference from Sanderson, the prison's location, DeSantis explained that this facility was chosen due to its available and empty infrastructure since its closure in 2021 due to staff shortages and a decrease in the inmate population.
"There was a huge part of downtown that was unoccupied. It was an opportunity ready to be utilized," said the governor, as quoted by News4Jax.
The director of Emergency Management in Florida, Kevin Guthrie, stated that the facility could be operational in two to three weeks, although he warned they would face structural challenges after years of inactivity.
The state had considered using Camp Blanding as the site for the second immigration center, but it was ruled out due to greater logistical complications.
With this decision, the Baker center becomes the new focal point of the state plan to reinforce arrests and deportations under the argument of "processing, housing, and returning" irregular immigrants, in the words of DeSantis.
The news comes amid growing reports regarding the conditions at the Everglades center, where lawyers have reported that detainees are facing flooding, pressure to sign deportation orders without consulting attorneys, and an alleged lack of access to basic services.
A federal court is currently reviewing whether these detainees have been granted their right to legal representation.
This second center, as promised by the governor, will offer the same services as “Alligator Alcatraz,” although no specific supervision mechanisms or legal access for detained migrants were outlined.
Initially, the Florida government had planned to build the second detention center for immigrants at Camp Blanding, a National Guard training base located about 43 kilometers from Jacksonville.
According to a report by the Associated Press earlier this month, at least one contract had already been awarded for the installation of a weather station and warning sirens, confirming the state's intention to expand its migration infrastructure.
Recently, the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, announced that “Alligator Alcatraz” would be the model for a new network of state detention centers for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
In July, the United States government announced that it would allocate $608 million to state and local governments to build new detention centers for immigrants or expand existing ones, as part of an escalating immigration offensive under the administration of Donald Trump.
Frequently Asked Questions about the new immigrant detention center in Florida
Where will the new detention center for immigrants be located in Florida?
The new immigration detention center will be located at the Baker Correctional Institution, about 70 kilometers west of Jacksonville. This center, known as the "Deportation Depot," is part of Governor Ron DeSantis's strategy to expand immigration detention capacity in Florida.
What is the purpose of the new detention center at Baker Prison?
The goal of the new detention center at Baker prison is to process, house, and return irregular immigrants. The center is part of a broader plan in Florida coordinated with the administration of Donald Trump to tighten immigration policies and increase deportations.
What have the conditions been like at the first detention center "Alligator Alcatraz"?
The conditions at the first detention center "Alligator Alcatraz" have been the subject of multiple complaints from civil rights groups and environmentalists. Reports indicate a lack of food, poor medical care, absence of legal representation, and pressure to sign deportation orders without consulting lawyers. Additionally, the center has faced criticism for its environmental impact on the Everglades.
How much will it cost to retrofit the Baker facility for the new detention center?
The estimated cost to adapt the Baker facility for the new detention center is six million dollars. This cost is significantly lower than the budget for the center in the Everglades, which exceeds 245 million dollars.
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