TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is set to open a new immigration detention facility, informally called “Deportation Depot.” This location, a state prison named Baker Correctional Institution, will offer space for up to 1,300 immigrants, with the potential to expand to 2,000.
DeSantis recently justified this new facility by stating there is a high demand for more detention space, especially as the administration aims to streamline the deportation process. He emphasized that this facility will be cost-effective, estimating setup costs to be $6 million, compared to the much higher expenses involved in building the Everglades center, officially named “Alligator Alcatraz.”
The new facility could be operational in two to three weeks. Kevin Guthrie, director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, mentioned that some renovations will be necessary, including air conditioning, which is often lacking in Florida prisons.
Staffing this site will involve the Florida National Guard, which has been called to assist with prisons during staffing shortages. DeSantis previously considered a different location for the second detention facility but opted for Baker due to its better capacity and airport access.
However, the Everglades facility has faced challenges, including a civil rights lawsuit concerning poor conditions. Detainees report issues like flooding and inadequate access to legal counsel. Lawyers argue that many detainees have not had proper communication with attorneys, raising concerns over their legal rights.
Fiona Venn, a civil rights attorney, emphasized the importance of legal access, stating, “Without a robust system to ensure detainees can have confidential conversations with their lawyers, their rights are severely compromised.”
As the situation develops, public reactions have varied. On social media, some people support DeSantis’s approach to immigration, citing security concerns, while others express anger over the treatment of detainees, urging for humane conditions and proper rights.
Although the implications of these facilities are still unfolding, this situation reflects ongoing debates about immigration policies in the U.S. For the latest legal updates and human rights discussions, you can follow organizations like ACLU and other civil rights advocates.
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Ron DeSantis, Immigrant detention, General news, Prisons, Immigration, Florida, Donald Trump, Jacksonville, FL State Wire, Politics, Kristi Noem, U.S. news, Rodolfo Ruiz, U.S. National Guard, Kevin Guthrie
