News Summary
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis plans to open a new immigration detention center at the former Baker Correctional Institution to accommodate up to 1,300 undocumented immigrants. This decision follows ongoing legal challenges against the existing facility, Alligator Alcatraz, which is under scrutiny for poor living conditions. The new center aims to enhance the state’s immigration enforcement capabilities, with construction costs significantly lower than an alternative site at Camp Blanding. The developments come amid rising concerns about detention conditions statewide and the operational costs associated with managing Florida’s immigration detention system.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has announced plans to establish a second immigration detention center in response to ongoing legal challenges against the existing facility, referred to as “Alligator Alcatraz.” This new facility will be located at the former Baker Correctional Institution in Sanderson, Florida, and is intended to augment the current capacity for detaining undocumented immigrants awaiting deportation.
The Baker facility is projected to house up to 1,300 undocumented immigrants and is described as a necessary step to enhance the state’s immigration enforcement capabilities. It is expected to be operational soon, although no specific timeline has been provided regarding its opening. The decision to use the Baker facility follows consideration of an alternative location at Camp Blanding, which was ultimately deemed more costly at an estimated $100 million in comparison to Baker’s projected cost of approximately $6 million for establishment.
The announcement comes at a time when the existing Alligator Alcatraz detention center is under legal scrutiny. A federal judge, Kathleen Williams, is currently evaluating a case that could result in the closure of this facility due to severe criticisms related to its living conditions. Alligator Alcatraz has faced allegations of extreme heat exposure, inadequate sanitation, and limited access to medical care, raising significant concerns from advocates and detainees alike. These issues have led to the issuance of a two-week restraining order by the judge, halting further construction at the facility while allowing current operations to continue.
Established only recently, Alligator Alcatraz has been operational for just six weeks and is already facing numerous complaints regarding its conditions. The Center for Biological Diversity, one of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit against the facility, has expressed hope regarding the potential for its closure due to the reported inhumane treatment of detainees.
During his announcement, Governor DeSantis did not comment on the ongoing lawsuit but stressed his administration’s commitment to bolstering immigration enforcement efforts in alignment with former President Trump’s policies. Under DeSantis’s leadership, Florida has already enacted measures such as banning sanctuary cities and mandating law enforcement agencies to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The infrastructure at the Baker facility will involve existing dormitories located within a 12-foot chain-link fenced area fortified with razor wire. There are plans for retrofitting the facility with external cooling units, and it may eventually be expanded to accommodate up to 2,000 individuals through the addition of temporary dormitories.
Furthermore, current conditions at the South Florida detention center, where about 1,000 detainees are presently held, have been labeled as “unlivable” by advocacy groups. Reports of unsanitary conditions have raised alarms about the treatment of those in detention. In response to concerns raised by advocates, DeSantis has minimized complaints regarding food quality, indicating that detainees are not entitled to excessive meal options.
The overall operational costs for managing Florida’s immigration detention system, which is projected to handle up to 5,000 beds, is estimated at $450 million annually. State officials have indicated plans to recoup these costs from the federal government.
As plans for the Baker facility move forward, impending legal developments regarding Alligator Alcatraz may significantly influence Florida’s immigration enforcement landscape, raising questions about the future of detention practices in the state.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- The Guardian
- Wikipedia: Immigration detention in the United States
- ABC News
- Google Search: Florida immigration detention centers
- The New York Times
- Google Scholar: Immigration detention conditions
- Orlando Sentinel
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Immigration
- The Wall Street Journal
- Google News: Ron DeSantis immigration policy
Author: STAFF HERE PETERSBURG WRITER
ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER The ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREStPetersburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in St Petersburg, Pinellas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Localtopia, and SHINE Mural Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce and St. Pete Downtown Partnership, plus leading businesses in finance, manufacturing, and healthcare that power the local economy such as Raymond James Financial, Jabil, and Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
