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Florida Pushes for Third Immigration Center Amid Legal Battles

1/6/2026

Center

DeSantis Expands Detention

Florida seeks federal approval to open a third immigration detention center in the Panhandle, after facilities Alligator Alcatraz and Deportation Depot.
Governor Ron DeSantis said Florida arrested 20,000 people illegally residing in the United States over the past year.
The Everglades facility faces three federal lawsuits challenging its operations.
A federal judge ordered the Everglades facility to close over environmental review failures.
An appellate court has stayed that order.

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DeSantis Launches Operation

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced Operation Tidal Wave has led to over 10,400 arrests of illegal immigrants since April 2025, in collaboration with federal law enforcement, describing it as the largest operation in ICE history.
Sixty-three percent of those arrested had prior criminal records, including violent offenders.
Florida has received $28 million in additional immigration enforcement funding.
DeSantis criticized Nicolás Maduro and cited 325 287(g) agreements to bolster local enforcement.

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DeSantis Expands Detention

Florida seeks federal approval to open a third immigration detention center in the Panhandle, after facilities Alligator Alcatraz and Deportation Depot.
Governor Ron DeSantis said Florida arrested 20,000 people illegally residing in the United States over the past year.
The Everglades facility faces three federal lawsuits challenging its operations.
A federal judge ordered the Everglades facility to close over environmental review failures.
An appellate court has stayed that order.

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