Ron DeSantis made one strategic move that left federal judges scrambling for control

Federal courts thought they had Ron DeSantis cornered.

They tried to shut down his immigration enforcement operation with legal tricks.

But Ron DeSantis made one strategic move that left federal judges scrambling for control.

DeSantis outflanks federal judges with backup detention facility

When federal judges started interfering with Florida’s “Alligator Alcatraz” detention facility, they thought they were checkmating Governor Ron DeSantis.

They thought wrong.

DeSantis announced Thursday that Florida is opening a second immigration detention facility – and he’s calling it the “Deportation Depot.”

The new facility will house 1,300 detainees at Baker Correctional Institution in Sanderson, Florida, about 45 miles west of Jacksonville.

“We are authorizing and will be soon opening this new illegal immigration detention, processing and deportation facility here in North Florida. We are calling this the Deportation Depot,” DeSantis announced at a Thursday news conference.¹

https://twitter.com/GovRonDeSantis/status/1956069402559857042

Last week, U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams issued a temporary restraining order blocking construction at Alligator Alcatraz while she considers environmental concerns.

But DeSantis was already three steps ahead of these judicial games.

Baker Correctional Institution has been sitting vacant since 2021 – perfect timing for DeSantis’s immigration enforcement expansion.

The facility comes with existing infrastructure, nearby airport access for deportation flights, and the capacity to expand to 2,000 beds if needed.

“Talk about ready-made infrastructure, this is something that’s very appealing from that perspective,” DeSantis explained.²

Smart economics and strategic planning beat federal interference

While Alligator Alcatraz has committed over $200 million to private vendors as of late July, the Deportation Depot will cost just $6 million to make operational.

DeSantis originally considered using Camp Blanding, the Florida National Guard facility, but realized the runway wasn’t large enough for mass deportation flights.

“Ultimately, you do want to get 200 illegal aliens on a plane and fly them back to their country, so you do need bigger planes,” the governor said.³

https://twitter.com/GovRonDeSantis/status/1956037359025139855

The Baker facility solves that problem with proximity to a regional airport capable of handling large deportation aircraft.

DeSantis had been planning this expansion since June, when he said Florida would open additional facilities if demand warranted it.

That foresight is now paying dividends as federal judges try to interfere with Florida’s immigration enforcement.

“We have reached that point where I’m confident that we need additional capacity beyond what we’re already doing down in South Florida,” DeSantis stated.⁴

Florida leads the nation in immigration enforcement despite federal roadblocks

The Deportation Depot represents Florida’s continued leadership in supporting President Trump’s mass deportation campaign.

DeSantis estimates there are 50,000 to 100,000 illegal immigrants currently in Florida who already have final removal orders but haven’t been deported yet.

Florida’s 287(g) program allows state law enforcement to work directly with ICE, and Trump’s new policies enable Florida Highway Patrol to enforce immigration laws during traffic stops.

“We have done more on this than any other state by a country mile,” DeSantis declared.⁵

The facility will be staffed by the Florida National Guard and state contractors, expected to be operational within two to three weeks.

https://twitter.com/GovRonDeSantis/status/1955981567320580574

Unlike federal detention standards, DeSantis is ensuring the facility will be air-conditioned – showing more concern for detainee welfare than required by law.

Judge Williams just handed DeSantis an unexpected gift

Here’s what Judge Williams probably didn’t expect when she blocked construction at Alligator Alcatraz – she’d end up forcing Florida to build something better.

The Deportation Depot costs a fraction of the Everglades facility but delivers the same enforcement capacity.

Now DeSantis has two detention centers instead of one expanded facility – and both are beyond the reach of environmental lawsuits.

Williams thought she was protecting the Everglades ecosystem. Instead, she pushed Florida’s operation to a location that’s cheaper to run and easier to expand.

Judge Williams plans to rule on the Alligator Alcatraz case by August 21, but her decision matters less now that Florida has backup capacity ready to go.

Other red states are already expressing interest in copying Florida’s model – both the original Everglades facility and this new streamlined version.

DeSantis has turned federal judicial interference into an opportunity to expand and improve Florida’s immigration enforcement capabilities.

That’s the kind of strategic thinking that makes Florida a model for the rest of America.

¹ Ana Ceballos, “The next ‘Alligator Alcatraz’? DeSantis announces new Florida ‘Deportation Depot’,” Tampa Bay Times, August 15, 2025.

² Michael Dorgan, “Florida to open ‘Deportation Depot’ at shuttered prison weeks after launching ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ facility,” Fox News, August 15, 2025.

³ Ibid.

⁴ Ana Ceballos, “The next ‘Alligator Alcatraz’? DeSantis announces new Florida ‘Deportation Depot’,” Tampa Bay Times, August 15, 2025.

⁵ Michael Dorgan, “Florida to open ‘Deportation Depot’ at shuttered prison weeks after launching ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ facility,” Fox News, August 15, 2025.