Plans advance for new immigration site in northern Florida
This new site would add to the capacity of Florida's first immigration detention facility, which was built on an isolated airfield deep in the Florida Everglades. That original site, known informally as "Alligator Alcatraz," officially opened on July 1. So far, the state has signed contracts worth more than US$245 million to construct and operate the Everglades facility.
The second detention center is being planned at Camp Blanding, a Florida National Guard training area located about 27 miles southwest of downtown Jacksonville. However, Governor DeSantis has said construction won't begin until federal immigration authorities increase the number of deportations coming from the Everglades facility.
The Everglades Center has faced intense criticism and legal challenges from civil rights organizations and environmental groups. Detainees have reported being held without charges, denied access to attorneys, and suffering from a lack of adequate food and medical care. Many have also been unable to bring their cases before federal immigration courts.
Despite these concerns, the facility has been praised by President Donald Trump, who described its remote location and harsh conditions as suitable for what he called "the worst of the worst" immigrants. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has also expressed support, saying the center could serve as a model for similar facilities in other states.
Recently, Florida's Division of Emergency Management (FDEM), the agency responsible for building and managing the detention centers, awarded a $39,000 contract for a portable emergency weather station and two lightning warning systems for the new "North Detention Facility." The equipment is intended to help monitor weather in real time and alert staff to dangerous conditions, especially important as Florida heads into the peak of hurricane season. Parts of the state have already been hit by extreme heat and heavy rains.
Environmentalists and immigrant rights groups have raised concerns about the Everglades facility's vulnerability to storms and flooding. The site consists mainly of large tents and trailers that state workers and private contractors quickly assembled.
In response to growing scrutiny, FDEM released a heavily censored draft of an emergency evacuation plan for the Everglades site, now referred to as the "South Florida Detention Facility." Large sections of the document—especially those detailing how detainees would be transported or relocated during an emergency—were blacked out. Florida law allows state agencies to keep such emergency plans confidential, and the department has not responded to multiple requests for other related documents, such as evacuation protocols, environmental reviews, or internal risk assessments.
When asked about the facility's safety at a press conference on July 25, FDEM Executive Director Kevin Guthrie defended the state's approach. He claimed the site is strong enough to withstand a Category 2 hurricane, which can bring winds up to 110 miles per hour.
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Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. 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