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Emigration and immigration

Florida to Open Second Immigration Detention Facility Amid Rising Tensions

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has announced that the state will be opening a second immigration detention, processing, and deportation facility at the Baker Correctional Institution, dubbed the "Deportation Depot." This new site will be capable of housing over 1,300 people, with immigrants being removed into U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody through the Lake City Gateway Airport. The facility is expected to be operational in about two weeks, with the state committing to spending approximately $6 million to get the site up and running.

Key Takeaways:

  • The new facility will be located at the Baker Correctional Institution and will have a capacity to house over 1,300 people.
  • Immigrants will be removed into U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody through the Lake City Gateway Airport, which is approximately 13 miles away from the facility.
  • The state has estimated that using Baker Correctional Institution will be cheaper than the previously considered site, Camp Blanding, with DeSantis stating that it will require "a lot less standing up" than the other site.
  • The state has poured money into the existing South Florida Detention Facility, which cost over $250 million to set up and is expected to cost $450 million per year.
  • The Florida National Guard will be staffing the new facility, with the state expecting to be reimbursed by the federal government for its immigration enforcement efforts.
  • The new facility is located in a different area than the existing Baker County Detention Center, which is already an ICE detention facility.
  • The state's Immigration Enforcement Council Director, Larry Keefe, has blamed the "weaponized judiciary," "leftist lawyers," and the media for trying to obstruct the state's immigration detention efforts.
  • Conservation groups, including Friends of the Everglades, and the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida are suing the state over its detention facility in the Big Cypress National Preserve, claiming it poses threats to the Everglades ecosystem and endangered species.

Statistics:

  • 1,300: The capacity of the new immigration detention facility
  • 13 miles: The distance between the facility and the Lake City Gateway Airport
  • $6 million: The estimated cost to get the Baker Correctional Institution facility up and running
  • $450 million: The expected annual cost of the South Florida Detention Facility
  • 1,000: The current number of people detained at the South Florida Detention Facility
  • 2,000: The capacity of the South Florida Detention Facility
  • $605 million: The grant received by the state's Division of Emergency Management for immigration enforcement efforts
  • $170 billion: The recent infusion of funds to the Department of Homeland Security for immigration and border-related activities

Sources:

  • "Florida to open second immigration detention facility in about two weeks" by Ana Goni-Lessan, USA TODAY NETWORK - FLORIDA
  • "DeSantis announces 'Deportation Depot' in Florida" by Ana Goni-Lessan, USA TODAY NETWORK - FLORIDA
  • "Florida governor unveils 'Deportation Depot' in Sanderson" by Ana Goni-Lessan, USA TODAY NETWORK - FLORIDA
  • "Baker CI was closed due to Florida Department of Corrections staffing shortage" by Ana Goni-Lessan, USA TODAY NETWORK - FLORIDA
  • "Florida to reimburse state for immigration enforcement" by Ana Goni-Lessan, USA TODAY NETWORK - FLORIDA
  • "Judge halts construction of South Florida detention facility" by Ana Goni-Lessan, USA TODAY NETWORK - FLORIDA
  • "Friends of the Everglades, Miccosukee Tribe sue state over detention facility" by Ana Goni-Lessan, USA TODAY NETWORK - FLORIDA

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