Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has announced a significant development in the state's immigration enforcement efforts, revealing that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has commenced "deportation flights" from a newly established migrant detention center in the Florida Everglades, colloquially dubbed "Alligator Alcatraz.
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This facility, located at the Miami-Dade Collier Training Facility, has been repurposed to detain, process, and deport individuals residing in the country illegally.
In a post on X, DeSantis emphasized the rapid establishment of the detention center, stating, "We stood up Alligator Alcatraz in just eight days as a centralized facility for deportation staging." He further elaborated on the facility's capabilities, noting, "The facility has a two-mile runway that allows federal military aircraft to transport illegal aliens out of the country, right on site."
According to Breitbart, the governor has expressed support for increasing the frequency of these deportation flights, asserting that it aligns with the expectations of the American populace. "These deportation flights operated by DHS are underway, and we will support efforts to increase cadence of the flights so that the number of illegal aliens deported keeps increasing," DeSantis stated. "This is a mandate set upon us by the American people."
During a press conference held at Alligator Alcatraz, DeSantis disclosed that "hundreds of illegals" had already been deported from the facility. He also mentioned the potential for expansion, with plans to construct another detention center at Camp Blanding. This new facility is projected to accommodate up to 2,000 migrants, contingent upon meeting specific requirements, including food service provisions and essential building facilities such as medical and barber operations.
DeSantis expressed optimism about the ongoing deportation efforts, stating, "The flights are going, I think that cadence is going to increase. I think youre going to continue to see the numbers really go up dramatically." He also highlighted the state's readiness to expand the current facility's capacity to 3,000 and to develop Camp Blanding as needed. "I just, I dont want it to be something where people illegals are just being like stored there and then just kind of sitting," he remarked.
The facility, which became operational earlier this month, boasts a robust security presence with over 400 security personnel and 1,000 staff members. It is strategically located with "ten miles of Everglades on every side of the facility," providing a secure and isolated environment for its operations.
Among those detained at Alligator Alcatraz are individuals with serious criminal backgrounds. Notably, an MS-13 gang member known as Oscar "Satan" Sanchez, whose criminal record includes assault and conspiracy to commit murder, is housed at the facility. Additionally, a Guatemalan migrant named Luis Donaldo Corado, with a history of "burglary of an occupied dwelling, forced entry, and voyeurism," is also detained there.
This initiative underscores Florida's commitment to addressing illegal immigration through decisive action and collaboration with federal authorities. As the state continues to navigate the complexities of immigration policy, the establishment of Alligator Alcatraz represents a significant step in enforcing immigration laws and ensuring public safety.
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