TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced plans for a second immigration detention facility, named "Deportation Depot," to be located at the Baker Correctional Institution in north Florida. This announcement comes as a federal judge reviews the status of the state's existing immigration holding center, known as "Alligator Alcatraz," situated at a remote airstrip in the Florida Everglades.

The new facility, approximately 43 miles west of Jacksonville, is expected to accommodate 1,300 detainees, with the potential to expand to 2,000 beds, according to state officials. DeSantis stated that the additional capacity is necessary to support the federal government's efforts to detain and deport more immigrants. "There is a demand for this," he said. "I’m confident that it will be filled."

The governor emphasized the cost-effectiveness and speed of establishing the new facility at an existing prison, estimating the build-out cost at $6 million. This is significantly lower than the hundreds of millions allocated for the construction of the Everglades facility, which relies on a network of tents and trailers. DeSantis described the Baker facility as "ready-made," noting that it is currently not in use for state prisoners, allowing for a quicker setup.

Kevin Guthrie, director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, indicated that the new facility could be operational within two to three weeks. However, he acknowledged potential challenges due to the building's dormancy over the past couple of years. Renovations will include installing air conditioning, which is not typically required in Florida prisons despite the state's hot climate.

Staffing for the facility will involve the Florida National Guard and state contractors, as needed. The National Guard has been assisting in running state prisons for over two years due to ongoing staffing shortages.

DeSantis had previously considered a different location for the second facility at Camp Blanding, a nearby National Guard training site. However, he determined that Baker Correctional Institution was a more suitable option due to its capacity and proximity to a regional airport.

The governor assured that detainees at the new facility would receive the same services as those at the Everglades center. However, conditions at the Everglades facility have drawn criticism. Attorneys representing detainees have described the situation as dire, citing reports of COVID-19 symptoms among detainees who are not isolated from others. They also noted issues such as flooding in tents and pressure on detainees to sign voluntary removal orders before consulting with their lawyers.

"Recent conditions at Alligator Alcatraz have fueled a sense of desperation among detainees," the attorneys stated in a court filing. They are seeking a ruling from U.S. District Judge Rodolfo Ruiz to ensure that detainees have confidential access to legal counsel and to clarify which immigration court has jurisdiction over the facility, as they have been informed that federal courts in Florida do not have authority over the detainees held there.