Detainees pepper-sprayed on 2 occasions at Florida ‘Deportation Depot’ immigration detention center

Pepper-Spray Incidents Reported at Florida Immigration Detention Center

Immigration detainees at a Florida detention center were pepper-sprayed on at least two occasions since the facility opened last September, according to state officials.

The Florida Division of Emergency Management confirmed Thursday that the most recent incident at the former Baker Correctional Institution in northeast Florida occurred on Christmas Eve when “several detainees refused orders to return to their bunks and began advancing on staff.” Officials reported that one detainee became violent and struck an officer, prompting staff to release chemical agents to restore safety.

This incident follows an earlier confrontation on October 29, when detainees attempted to barricade themselves inside a housing unit, allegedly inciting violence and causing significant property damage. Guards used pepper spray to regain control of the situation. Officials stated that no injuries were reported in either incident, and all individuals involved were medically cleared as a precautionary measure.

The northeast Florida facility, informally dubbed “Deportation Depot” by critics, is the second immigration detention center established by Florida’s state government. It follows the opening of another facility in the Florida Everglades last summer, which detractors have nicknamed “Alligator Alcatraz.” These facilities represent an unprecedented move by a state government to operate immigration detention centers, traditionally a federal responsibility.

Governor Ron DeSantis recently announced that Florida is awaiting federal approval to open a third immigration detention center in the Florida Panhandle and is exploring options for a potential fourth facility in South Florida. This aggressive expansion of detention capacity highlights Florida’s proactive stance on immigration enforcement under DeSantis’s administration.

According to the governor, Florida has made approximately 20,000 arrests of people in the country illegally during the past year. This figure includes 10,000 arrests through a state initiative partnering with federal law enforcement, with DeSantis claiming that 63% of those arrested had prior criminal records.

Florida’s efforts have positioned the state as a leader in supporting the immigration policies of President Donald Trump, who has praised Florida’s approach as a model for other states. DeSantis has framed these detention centers as necessary infrastructure to support federal deportation efforts, arguing that additional holding capacity is required to effectively process and deport undocumented immigrants.

However, the state’s detention facilities have faced significant legal challenges and criticism over conditions. Attorneys representing detainees at the Everglades facility have described conditions as “deplorable,” citing issues such as rainwater flooding tents and allegations that officers pressure detainees to sign voluntary removal orders before allowing them to consult with legal counsel.

Three federal lawsuits have been filed challenging various aspects of the Everglades facility’s operations. One lawsuit sought closure of the facility on the grounds that immigration enforcement is exclusively a federal responsibility, arguing that state agencies lack proper authority to operate such centers under federal law. This case concluded earlier this month when the immigrant detainee who filed it agreed to deportation.

A second lawsuit focuses on ensuring detainees have access to confidential communications with their attorneys, addressing concerns about due process rights. The third legal challenge resulted in a federal judge in Miami ordering the Everglades facility to wind down operations over a two-month period last summer, citing officials’ failure to conduct a proper environmental impact review. However, an appellate court panel has temporarily stayed that decision, allowing the facility to remain operational while legal proceedings continue.

These legal challenges highlight the controversial nature of Florida’s expansion into immigration detention, raising questions about jurisdiction, conditions of confinement, and environmental considerations as the state continues to build capacity for what Governor DeSantis describes as necessary support for federal immigration enforcement efforts.