by Marielbis Rojas
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ administration is preparing to open a second immigration detention center, called “Deportation Depot,” located at the state prison Baker Correctional Institution, the governor announced Thursday.
The announcement comes as a federal judge decides the fate of the state immigration detention center known as “Alligator Alcatraz,” located on a remote airstrip in the Florida Everglades.
“There’s a demand for this. I’m sure it will be full,” said DeSantis, who justified the need for a new center by the Trump administration’s demands to increase migrant detention and deportation capacity.
Great to be in Sanderson today to announce that Florida’s new Deportation Depot will begin housing, detaining, and processing illegal aliens for deportation, in coordination with federal authorities.
With Alligator Alcatraz operating in South Florida and Deportation Depot… pic.twitter.com/l43j58GhFf
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) August 14, 2025
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem endorsed expanding the state’s immigration detention capacity, calling Florida’s cooperation a model for other state facilities.
The new center will operate on part of the Baker Correctional Institution, which is not currently used for state inmates. This, according to DeSantis, will allow the center to be established “quickly and cost-effectively,” estimating the renovation cost at $6 million.
The center is planned to house 1,300 beds for detainees, with the possibility of expanding to 2,000, according to state authorities.
DeSantis indicated that people detained at the new facility will have “the same services” available as at the Everglades detention center. However, no additional details were provided regarding the nature of these services.
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Marielbis Rojas is a Venezuelan journalist and communications professional with a degree in Social Communication from UCAB. She is a news reporter for ADN América.
Photo “Governor Ron DeSantis” by Governor Ron DeSantis.
