Florida is set to expand its immigration detention capabilities with plans for a new facility, dubbed by some as the son of Donald Trump’s infamous “Alligator Alcatraz.”
Governor Ron DeSantis’ administration is on the verge of awarding a contract for a project known in state documents as the “North Detention Facility.”
This development comes as an extension to the controversial “Alligator Alcatraz,” which was built on a remote airstrip in the Florida Everglades and began operations on July 1 , backed by over $245 million in contracts.
The proposed site for the additional detention centre is Camp Blanding, a Florida National Guard training base situated 27 miles southwest of Jacksonville’s city centre. However, Governor DeSantis has indicated that the commencement of construction at the new site hinges on the federal government increasing deportation activities from the existing South Florida facility.
“We look forward to the increased cadence” of deportations, DeSantis commented last month, asserting that Florida is “ready, willing and able” to bolster its immigration enforcement infrastructure, reports the Mirror US.
Legal challenges
Meanwhile, civil liberties organisations and environmental groups have launched legal challenges against the Everglades detention centre, where detainees claim they are being deprived of sufficient food and medical care, denied access to legal counsel, held without charges, and unable to secure hearings in federal immigration courts.
Former President Donald Trump has been a vocal supporter of the facility’s stringent conditions, boasting that it is suitable for the “worst of the worst,” while Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem regards the South Florida detention centre as a benchmark for other state-run immigrant holding facilities.
The Florida Division of Emergency Management, responsible for constructing the Everglades site, has recently invested $39,000 in a portable emergency response weather station and two lightning sirens for the “North Detention Facility.”
This new equipment will provide essential real-time weather monitoring and safety notifications for personnel. The investment coincides with Florida’s hurricane season peak and follows severe weather conditions, including torrential rain and sweltering heat, affecting the region.
Secret plans
However, immigration advocates and environmentalists have expressed serious reservations about the Everglades facility, criticising its isolated location and rapid assembly of heavy-duty tents and trailers by state employees and contractors.
Last week, FDEM published a heavily censored draft emergency evacuation plan for the “South Florida Detention Facility.”
Whole sections covering detainee transport, evacuation and relocation procedures were completely obscured.
The redactions were permitted under Florida legislation that enables state agencies to keep their emergency plans secret.
Despite numerous public records requests from The Associated Press, the department has failed to provide other evacuation plans.
Environmental impact assessments and agency evaluations of the facility were also sought.
FDEM Director Kevin Guthrie stood by the emergency response agency’s preparations for the temporary facility, which he claimed was constructed to survive a Category 2 hurricane – featuring wind speeds reaching 110 mph.
“I promise you that the hurricane guys have got the hurricane stuff covered,” Guthrie stated.
Reports suggest another new immigration detention centre, nicknamed the “Speedway Slammer,” is set to open in Indiana.
