‘Deportation Depot’ has opened in Baker County, now housing 117 detainees, DeSantis tells Fox News

BAKER COUNTY, Fla. – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis appeared on Fox News on Thursday night and announced for the first time that an immigrant detention center in Baker County, dubbed “Deportation Depot,” is now open.

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“We’re not only doing Alligator Alcatraz, we’ve now opened the Deportation Depot up in Northeast Florida and we’re working on opening Panhandle Pokey in Northwest Florida,” DeSantis said during his appearance on ‘Hannity.’

News4JAX reached out to the governor’s office to clarify details about the facility, which had not been previously announced, and a spokesperson sent us a link to a Fox News clip.

According Fox News’ reporting, the first detainees arrived on Tuesday, and 117 people are currently being held at the facility, which has the capacity to house up to 1,500 detainees.

During his appearance, DeSantis also highlighted how Alligator Alcatraz was set up in “record time” and praised its role in fulfilling former President Donald Trump’s mission to increase deportations. DeSantis addressed ongoing legal challenges, including the judge and appeals related to the facility.

MORE | Alligator Alcatraz is not getting new detainees, but site keeps ‘running’ despite judge’s shutdown order, DeSantis says

Earlier this month, at a press conference, the governor reiterated there is “demand even beyond Alligator Alcatraz” to assist the federal government’s efforts to crack down on illegal immigration. He also promoted plans to open the immigration site in Baker County, which was first announced in mid-August.

The announcement comes amid ongoing controversy over Florida’s immigration detention centers.

The Alligator Alcatraz facility in the Everglades recently faced a federal judge’s order to end operations, but a federal appeals court panel put that order on hold, allowing it to continue holding detainees for now.

The Department of Homeland Security called the appeals court ruling “a win for the American people, the rule of law and common sense,” while environmental groups continue to oppose the detention centers, citing harm to sensitive wetlands and ongoing lawsuits.