Immigration detainees held at a Florida detention centre, colloquially known as the "Deportation Depot," have been pepper-sprayed on a minimum of two separate occasions since the facility commenced operations in September. The incidents have sparked scrutiny over the treatment of individuals within the state's expanding network of immigration holding facilities.
Confrontations Lead to Use of Chemical Agents
The Florida Division of Emergency Management confirmed on Thursday that the most recent episode occurred on Christmas Eve at the former Baker Correctional Institution in northeast Florida. According to official statements, the situation escalated when several detainees refused directives to return to their bunks and began advancing towards staff members.
"One detainee became violent, striking an officer, so chemical agents were released to restore safety to detainees and guards," officials elaborated. This confrontation followed an earlier incident on October 29, where detainees attempted to barricade themselves inside their housing unit, inciting violence and causing substantial damage. Guards ultimately deployed pepper spray to re-establish control during that event.
No Injuries Reported but Concerns Persist
Authorities reported that no injuries resulted from either episode, and all individuals involved were medically cleared as a precautionary measure. However, these occurrences have drawn attention to the operational practices within Florida's state-run immigration detention centres, which are part of a broader initiative aligned with federal enforcement efforts.
Florida's Expanding Detention Network
The northeast Florida facility represents the second immigration detention centre opened by the state, following the establishment of "Alligator Alcatraz" in the Florida Everglades earlier last summer. Governor Ron DeSantis announced earlier this month that the state is awaiting federal approval to inaugurate a third centre in the Florida Panhandle and is exploring a potential fourth facility in South Florida.
DeSantis has highlighted that, through a state initiative collaborating with federal law enforcement, there have been 10,000 arrests of individuals in the U.S. illegally in Florida over the past year. Additionally, local law enforcement made a further 10,000 arrests, totalling 20,000. The governor noted that 63% of those arrested under the state initiative had a criminal arrest or conviction record.
Legal Challenges and Alleged Conditions
Florida has positioned itself at the forefront among states constructing facilities to bolster President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown. DeSantis has argued that the Trump administration requires increased capacity to detain and deport more immigrants, with the administration praising Florida's partnership as a model for other state-run holding facilities.
Nevertheless, attorneys representing detainees at the Everglades facility have condemned the conditions as deplorable. Court documents allege that rainwater floods detainees' tents and that officers pressure individuals cell-by-cell to sign voluntary removal orders before permitting access to legal counsel.
Ongoing Federal Lawsuits Challenge Practices
Three federal lawsuits in Florida are currently contesting practices at the Everglades facility. One lawsuit seeks the closure of the centre, arguing that immigration is a federal matter and that Florida agencies and private contractors lack the authority to operate it under federal law. A second lawsuit aims to secure a ruling guaranteeing detainees confidential communications with their attorneys.
In a third lawsuit, a federal judge in Miami ordered last summer that the Everglades facility wind down operations over two months due to officials' failure to conduct an environmental impact review. However, an appellate court panel has temporarily suspended that decision, allowing the facility to remain operational for the time being.
The repeated use of pepper spray at the "Deportation Depot" underscores the tensions within Florida's aggressive immigration enforcement strategy, raising questions about safety protocols, detainee rights, and the legal boundaries of state involvement in federal immigration matters.
