JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Florida State Representative Angie Nixon (D-Jacksonville) is calling for more transparency regarding the planned Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility at Camp Blanding in Clay County.
Nixon’s questions come as the state lawmaker from Jacksonville prepares to tour South Florida’s “Alligator Alcatraz” Saturday, alongside several other Democratic legislators.
Last week, Democratic state lawmakers, including Nixon, attempted an unannounced visit to Alligator Alcatraz but were denied entry. In response, the lawmakers filed a lawsuit against Governor Ron DeSantis, arguing that their oversight should not be restricted.
“We’re already hearing reports that they are now providing food to the detainees, good food to the detainees,” Nixon said. “Allowing them to shower and to clean up. Because basically, they’re going to have us tour the facility, and it’s going to be a sanitized tour.”
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The Florida Division of Emergency Management responded to News4JAX when we asked about the lawmakers’ initial denied entry. A spokesperson cited state law, writing in part:
“Florida Statutes, grants inspection authority to a legislative committee, not to individual legislators engaging in political theater.”
The spokesperson continued:
“Florida Statutes, authorizes members of the Legislature to visit state correctional institutions....
“...The Alligator Alcatraz facility is not under the jurisdiction of the Department of Corrections and does not otherwise fall within the statutory definition of a “state correctional institution.”
Governor DeSantis commented on the upcoming tour, emphasizing that it should not serve as a platform for political posturing.
“What we’re not going to do is provide them with a platform to virtual signal or have some politicized photo op,” DeSantis said. “If they want to see, they will see there is professional folks running this.”
In addition to Alligator Alcatraz, Nixon has raised questions about the planned detention center at Camp Blanding in Clay County near Starke.
“I don’t know if they’re going to build a permanent structure, if they’re going to build another like tent city, we just don’t know,” Nixon said.
She highlighted what she said was a lack of information about the facility.
News4JAX has reached out to the state, asking questions regarding the facility’s design, construction, and timeline for operation. At the time of this publication, we had not heard back.
In the meantime, Nixon said she plans to keep an eye on its developments.
“I have not asked for access to Camp Blanding,” Nixon said. “As a lawmaker, a state legislator, I should have the access and opportunity to show up unannounced.”
As Nixon prepares for the scheduled tour of Alligator Alcatraz, the lawsuit against DeSantis underscores the ongoing debate over legislative oversight and transparency.
MORE | Immigrant rights advocates plan protest against construction of detention facility at Camp Blanding
A spokesperson from his office sent the following statement in response to the lawsuit:
“Wednesday, the Florida Division of Emergency Management invited all Florida legislators to tour Alligator Alcatraz this weekend. Thursday, five Democrat legislators responded by filing a frivolous lawsuit demanding access to Alligator Alcatraz. The State is looking forward to quickly dispensing with this dumb lawsuit.”
