Florida is expanding its immigration enforcement capacity with the opening of a new temporary detention facility in North Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis announced Thursday. The site will be used to process, stage, and return individuals in the country illegally to their countries of origin.
“We’ll enforce the law, we’ll hold the line, and we will keep delivering results,” Governor Ron DeSantis said in a press release.
This marks the state’s second immigration detention center, following the opening of the Everglades facility in July. The new center, located about 50 miles north of Gainesville and 50 miles west of Jacksonville, can accommodate more than 1,300 detainees. State officials say it will offer the same operational services as the Everglades location, with costs expected to be reimbursed by federal partners.
The facility is positioned roughly 15 minutes from Lake City Airport, which officials describe as an advantage for expediting deportation flights once processing is complete.
According to state data, Florida has more 287(g)-certified officers than any other state, enabling local law enforcement to work closely with federal agencies on identifying, detaining, and removing individuals who are in the country illegally. The new North Florida facility is part of an ongoing collaboration between state and federal partners aimed at strengthening immigration enforcement operations.