Speaking in an epic press conference about how things are going ever since the state opened “Alligator Alcatraz” to start cracking down on the illegal immigration problem, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) explained that voluntary departures of illegal aliens have increased tremendously in the weeks after the state opened Alligator Alcatraz.
Speaking about the matter of voluntary deportations picking up ever since Alligator Alcatraz was reopened, the Florida governor said, “Since the opening of Alligator Alcatraz, we have seen an increase in the number of illegal aliens who are taking the voluntary departure where they can get a plane ticket — and obviously they’re going to be supervised to get on that plane so we can ensure they’re doing it — but they get on and they get a flight back to their home country.”
Continuing, he explained that their behavior in leaving is justified by the state’s harsh crackdown, justifying further involvement. He said, “And I think it’s just the fact that people say, ‘Ok, I know the law is going to be enforced.’ … They know that they could potentially be subject to it, so why not just preempt that and just do the right things? I think you’re seeing more and more of that, and we’ll probably continue to see more going forward,” he predicted.
That came as part of a press conference on Thursday, August 14, in which Governor DeSantis announced that another facility like Alligator Alcatraz, this one called Deportation Depot, so that yet more illegal aliens could be arrested and processed by the state and federal authorities in it.
Announcing the move in the press conference, the Florida governor said, “Today, I announced that Baker Correctional Institution in Sanderson will now serve as a Deportation Depot to detain and process illegal immigrants for removal, building on the success the state has had with Alligator Alcatraz. We’ll enforce the law, we’ll hold the line, and we will keep delivering results.”
And commenting on the need for the facility, the governor said, “I want to make sure the demand is there, and the demand is there, and they are ramping up the flights, and that cadence is getting better. And there’s even going to be more things that happen on the removal front in the coming weeks and months.”
He further added, “So this is definitely the right decision. … We are going to be able to fulfill this, utilize these resources.” Then, continuing, he said, “The demand is there, and our guys are ready, willing, and able to help our federal partners in this really, really important mission.”
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Providing more details on the location of the facility and its capacity, along with the fact that the feds will pay for it, the governor’s office said, in a press release, “The Deportation Depot has the capacity to hold more than 1,300 detainees and will be set up with the same services as Alligator Alcatraz. Costs will be reimbursed by federal partners. Additionally, the Lake City Airport is 15 minutes away, making this location ideal for quickly deporting illegal aliens that have been processed at this facility.”
Continuing, the governor’s office provided the legal basis for Florida’s in-depth involvement in the anti-illegal immigration efforts, saying, “Florida is setting the standard for states in working with the Trump administration to protect Americans from the scourge of illegal immigration. Florida has more 287(g)-certified officers than other state, and Florida law enforcement professionals are working with our federal partners to help identify, detain, and remove illegal aliens from our country.”