Florida Opens Second State-Run Immigration Facility Amid Legal Challenges

The timing couldn’t be more contentious. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced Thursday the opening of a second state-run immigration detention center, even as a federal judge weighs potentially shutting down the controversial first facility deep within the environmentally sensitive Everglades. This new “Deportation Depot,” slated for the shuttered Baker Correctional Institution in Sanderson, signals a significant escalation in Florida’s approach to immigration enforcement under DeSantis.

Why Is Florida Expanding Its Immigration Detention Capacity?

Governor DeSantis framed the Baker facility, capable of holding up to 1,300 undocumented immigrants awaiting deportation, as a necessary step to support federal efforts and enhance state security. “The Trump administration needs the additional capacity,” DeSantis stated, highlighting cooperation despite past political friction. He emphasized repurposing existing state infrastructure as a cost-effective solution, estimating the Baker build-out at $6 million, significantly cheaper than new construction. The Baker Correctional Institution was among three North Florida prisons temporarily closed in 2021 due to staffing shortages and declining inmate populations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kevin Guthrie, Director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, confirmed the state has secured a $600+ million federal grant to reimburse costs for both detention facilities. Guthrie indicated it could take two to three weeks to make the Baker site operational. The governor selected Baker over other potential locations, like Camp Blanding, citing its proximity to the Lake City airport with its longer runway as a logistical advantage for a “one-stop shop.”

What Legal Hurdles Face the Existing “Alligator Alcatraz”?

The announcement arrives amidst intensifying legal and environmental opposition to Florida’s first state-run immigration detention center, colloquially dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz” due to its Everglades location. U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams recently issued a temporary order halting further construction at the site. Her order specifically bars new industrial lighting, paving, filling, excavating, or fencing while she considers a lawsuit brought by environmental groups and the Miccosukee Tribe.

The plaintiffs argue the facility violates the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), which mandates federal agencies assess major projects’ environmental impacts. Simultaneously, legal advocates and detainee families have raised alarms about allegedly “inhumane” conditions at the six-week-old facility, including:

• Cage-like units exposed to excessive heat
• Broken toilets and air conditioning
• Inadequate food
• Mosquito infestations
• Reports of a spreading respiratory virus

What Does This Expansion Signal for Florida’s Immigration Policy?

The simultaneous push to open a second facility while the first faces existential legal threats underscores the DeSantis administration’s commitment to a hardline stance on immigration, regardless of mounting challenges. It represents a tangible outcome of state laws passed in recent years aimed at increasing local enforcement and facilitating deportations. While supporters applaud the state taking action, critics see the expansion as doubling down on a legally and ethically fraught approach, particularly given the serious allegations surrounding the existing center’s operations and its disputed environmental footprint.

The path forward for both Florida immigration facilities remains deeply uncertain, entangled in court battles and intense public debate over security, humanity, and environmental stewardship.

Must Know

Why is Florida opening a second immigration detention center?
Governor DeSantis cites the need to support federal deportation efforts and enhance state security. He claims the federal government requires more capacity to hold undocumented immigrants. The state secured a $600+ million federal grant to fund both facilities.

Where is the new Florida immigration facility located?
The new detention center, nicknamed “Deportation Depot” by DeSantis, will be housed at the previously closed Baker Correctional Institution in Sanderson, Florida, approximately 43 miles west of Jacksonville.

What are the main objections to the first Everglades facility?
Environmental groups and the Miccosukee Tribe argue it violates the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Additionally, legal advocates allege detainees face horrific conditions, including extreme heat exposure in cages, broken utilities, inadequate food, insect infestations, and health risks.

How much will the new Baker facility cost Florida?
Governor DeSantis estimates the build-out cost for the Baker Correctional Institution site at approximately $6 million. This cost is significantly lower than building a new facility from scratch and is expected to be reimbursed by federal funds.

Is the first Florida detention center still operating?
Yes, the “Alligator Alcatraz” facility in the Everglades is currently operational. However, a federal judge has temporarily halted further construction there while considering a lawsuit seeking its closure on environmental grounds.