Florida Governor DeSantis unveils plans for a second immigration detention center in the northern part of the state.
In the heart of Baker County, Florida, a former men's prison known as the Baker Correctional Institution is being transformed into a new immigration detention facility. Governor Ron DeSantis announced the opening of this facility, dubbed the "Deportation Depot," on Thursday.
Located near Lake City Airport, the Deportation Depot is designed to temporarily house and process up to 1,300 detainees, with the potential for expansion to accommodate as many as 2,000. The facility's purpose is to stage and process detainees for deportation, mirroring the services offered at the Everglades facility, colloquially known as "Alligator Alcatraz."
The Deportation Depot repurposes the vacant Baker Correctional Institution, which was closed in 2021. Its proximity to the airport allows for rapid processing and deportation of immigrants. The state's intent is to expand Florida's capacity to detain and deport immigrants efficiently.
The Everglades facility has been under scrutiny, with attorneys reporting that detainees are being held without charges and barred from legal access. The fate of Alligator Alcatraz is currently being decided by a federal judge.
The new detention center is part of a larger immigration detention partnership, with another facility planned for the state. This new partnership has been nicknamed after an iconic Indiana racetrack, sparking backlash.
Governor DeSantis is confident that the Deportation Depot will be filled, as it is being justified by the need for additional capacity to hold and deport more immigrants, as outlined by the Trump administration. The opening of this new facility follows the opening of the Everglades facility last month.
[1] Florida Politics. (2025, August 12). DeSantis announces new immigration detention center in Florida. Retrieved from https://floridapolitics.com/archives/412334-desantis-announces-new-immigration-detention-center-in-florida
[2] Miami Herald. (2025, August 12). Florida to open new immigration detention center near Lake City Airport. Retrieved from https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/florida/article41234357.html
[3] Tampa Bay Times. (2025, August 12). DeSantis announces new immigration detention center in Florida. Retrieved from https://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/2025/08/12/desantis-announces-new-immigration-detention-center-in-florida/
[4] Orlando Sentinel. (2025, August 12). Florida to open new immigration detention center near Lake City Airport. Retrieved from https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/politics/os-ne-desantis-announces-immigration-detention-center-20250812-7l4736426lq5k7fh64xv7653qm-story.html
[5] AP News. (2025, August 12). Florida to open new immigration detention center. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/article/immigration-florida-government-and-politics-lake-city-airport-5a96b06c369809980a14755532e3788b
The Deportation Depot, Florida's latest immigration detention center, is set to contribute to the state's growing capacity in policy-and-legislation regarding immigration, following Governor DeSantis' announcement. This new facility, located near Lake City Airport, has already faced critics in California's general-news outlets due to its proposed partnership, reminiscent of an iconic Indiana racetrack.
