August 16, 2025

Florida Transforms Baker Correctional Institution into Immigration Detention Center

News Summary

Florida plans to convert Baker Correctional Institution into a second immigration detention facility, housing over 1,300 individuals targeted for deportation. Governor Ron DeSantis announced the change, with renovation costs of approximately $6 million. This facility, previously closed due to staffing shortages, will utilize a nearby airport for deportation flights. The move follows controversies regarding existing immigrant detention centers, including halted construction at the Everglades facility due to legal challenges. Critics raise concerns about housing detainees in former prisons amid rising immigration enforcement in the state.

Baker County, Florida – The state of Florida has announced plans to convert the Baker Correctional Institution in North Florida into a second immigration detention facility. This move, articulated by Governor Ron DeSantis, aims to house more than 1,300 individuals targeted for deportation. The projected cost for renovations and preparation of the Baker facility stands at approximately $6 million, a stark contrast to the estimated $75-$100 million needed for a proposed facility at Camp Blanding.

Baker Correctional Institution, which has been closed for four years due to staffing shortages within the Florida Department of Corrections, has been selected due to its prior functionalities as a prison. The newly revamped detention center will utilize Lake City Gateway Airport to facilitate deportation flights, located roughly 13 miles from the facility.

The initiative comes amid heightened controversies regarding the immigration detention facilities in Florida. Notably, the Everglades facility, referred to as “Alligator Alcatraz,” has recently started housing detainees, with operational costs estimated at approximately $450 million annually. This facility is currently holding around 1,000 detainees with a capacity for 2,000. However, a federal legal challenge led by U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams has temporarily halted further construction efforts at the Everglades facility over allegations that necessary environmental impact studies were not conducted.

The federal government has pledged $608 million to support the housing of up to 5,000 undocumented immigrants within Florida. As part of the state’s increased enforcement measures, the Florida Department of Highway Safety has begun collaborating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain individuals during traffic stops. Recently, a deportation flight operated by the Florida Highway Patrol departed from Tallahassee International Airport, marking a significant immigration enforcement milestone for the capital.

Reactions and Controversy

“overkill,” arguing that many of the detainees are non-criminals held for minor infractions. Furthermore, environmental groups and local tribes, including the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians, have raised alarms over potential ecological impacts tied to additional detention centers in sensitive regions.

In a strategic staffing plan for the Baker facility, DeSantis disclosed that personnel would include members of the National Guard and private contractors. This consideration reflects an accelerated approach to managing the increasing demand for immigration detention in Florida.

As noted, the state of Florida is poised for an expansion in its immigration detention capabilities, with DeSantis expressing readiness to scale operations at Baker Correctional Institution should the need arise. This development aligns with broader state objectives to strengthen immigration enforcement, which coincides with policies set forth by the previous federal administration.

As the legal landscape around these facilities evolves, separate court cases, including one before Federal District Judge Rodolfo Ruiz concerning inadequate legal assistance for detainees at a South Florida detention facility, continue to emerge, highlighting ongoing challenges within the immigration system.

In summary, the reopening of Baker Correctional Institution as a second immigration detention center marks a significant shift in Florida’s immigration enforcement strategy, reflecting both operational efficiencies and rising tensions around immigration policy and environmental concerns.

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Florida Governor Announces New Immigration Detention Center

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