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A Cuban woman who just gave birth reported that her husband was transferred to the newly opened deportation center in Florida, known as “Deportation Depot”, just one week after the birth of their son.
The woman, a resident of the southern part of the state who wished to remain anonymous, told News4JAX that her husband was detained in Broward and transferred this week to the former Baker Correctional Institution in Sanderson, where the new immigration center driven by Governor Ron DeSantis is operating.
"They were the first to enter. There was no one else before them," stated the affected individual.
The Cuban woman reported that she has not been able to talk to him or officially confirm his whereabouts: “Every time I call, they tell me he is not in the system, and I don’t know how to make him meet his baby”.
The testimony reflects the uncertainty and pain faced by dozens of Cuban families in Florida, caught in the midst of a harsh state policy against undocumented immigrants.
She also stated that she has not received clear information from the authorities on how to contact her husband inside the center. “I sent emails, called, went in person, and no one gives me answers. All I know is that he was moved from Broward and is in custody,” she explained.
“If they deport him, I won’t know where he is or what is happening because the system isn’t working,” said the woman.
For now, she admitted that she has to face her new motherhood alone and that "it has been very difficult in every way." "I need my husband. My baby needs her dad."
The controversial "Deportation Depot"
According to a report from CNN, the “Deportation Depot” opened its doors with 117 detainees and has the capacity to accommodate up to 1,500 people.
The center is located about 72 kilometers west of Jacksonville, in the facilities of the Baker State Prison, which is temporarily closed and now repurposed for immigration use.
The inauguration of the center took place just days after an appeals court suspended a federal order that aimed to close the also controversial immigrant detention center “Alligator Alcatraz”, in the Everglades.
Governor DeSantis defended the opening by stating that the location, close to the Lake City airport, is "ideal for quickly deporting illegal foreigners."
Additionally, he announced that his administration is exploring the opening of a third center in the northwestern part of the state, nicknamed "Panhandle Pokey".
Frequently Asked Questions about the "Deportation Deposit" in Florida and the Situation of Cuban Immigrants
What is the "Deportation Deposit" in Florida?
The "Deportation Detention Center" is a new immigrant detention center in Florida, located in the former Baker Correctional Institution in Sanderson, about 70 kilometers west of Jacksonville. It was inaugurated to house undocumented immigrants as part of Governor Ron DeSantis' immigration policies, with an initial capacity for 1,500 people and the potential to expand to 2,000.
Why has the "Deportation Facility" been criticized?
The center has been criticized by human rights organizations due to the reported conditions in similar facilities, such as "Alligator Alcatraz," where inhumane conditions, lack of access to basic services, and pressure to sign deportation orders have been reported. Furthermore, there have been no detailed mechanisms for oversight or guarantees of legal representation for detained immigrants.
How does Florida's immigration policy affect Cuban families?
The detention and deportation policies in Florida have separated numerous Cuban families, causing uncertainty and pain. Cases like that of the Cuban woman whose husband was detained after the birth of their child highlight the harshness of these measures. Families face challenges in obtaining information about the whereabouts of their loved ones and accessing legal representation.
What other measures are Florida authorities taking regarding immigration?
Governor Ron DeSantis has announced the exploration of a third detention center in the northwest of the state, called "Panhandle Pokey". This expansion is part of a coordinated effort with the federal government to increase immigration detention capacity in the state, despite ongoing criticisms and lawsuits regarding immigrant rights.
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