Ron DeSantis is expanding his immigration crackdown.
He's waiting for federal approval to go even bigger.
And a judge just handed Ron DeSantis one victory that has Democrats fuming.
DeSantis Doubles Down on Detention Facilities
Ron DeSantis announced Monday that Florida is awaiting federal approval to open a third immigration detention center in the state's Panhandle.
The Florida Governor made the announcement outside "Deportation Depot" in northeast Florida.
DeSantis said federal officials need to sign off on the new facility before construction begins.
"If they approve, we will open," DeSantis stated.
He said the Trump administration needs the extra capacity to handle mass deportations of illegal aliens.
Florida already runs two controversial detention facilities — "Alligator Alcatraz" in the Everglades and "Deportation Depot" at the former Baker Correctional Institution.
DeSantis revealed a potential fourth location in South Florida is also under consideration.
Florida law enforcement arrested 20,000 illegal aliens in 2025 through state and federal partnerships.
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The Baker facility sent out 93 deportation flights carrying nearly 3,000 people since opening in August.
"We have done more on this than any other state by a country mile," DeSantis said.
Democrats Get Slammed in Court Over Access Fight
Five Democrat lawmakers thought they could force their way into Alligator Alcatraz whenever they wanted.
Leon County Circuit Judge Jonathan Sjostrom just shut them down hard.
The judge ruled Friday that Florida's Everglades detention center isn't subject to laws allowing legislators to inspect state prisons.
Senator Shevrin Jones, Senator Carlos Guillermo Smith, Representative Anna Eskamani, Representative Angie Nixon, and Representative Michele Rayner filed the lawsuit after guards turned them away in July.
They claimed DeSantis violated their constitutional oversight powers by denying them unannounced access.
The Democrats argued the facility fell under state correctional institution laws.
Judge Sjostrom didn't buy it.
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The facility "does not meet the statutory definition of a state correctional institution because no prisoner is housed in the facility under the jurisdiction of the Florida Department of Corrections," Sjostrom wrote.
DeSantis administration attorneys argued that individual lawmakers don't have special powers to barge into facilities whenever they feel like it.
"Far from the governor or FDEM usurping the authority of another branch of government, it is petitioners who attempt to usurp the authority of the Legislature and its committees by taking matters into their own hands," the state's response stated.
The Democrats tried to visit the facility on July 3 "to inspect the state detention facility, evaluate the use of taxpayer funds and assess safety."
They wanted to show up unannounced to catch the facility off guard.
DeSantis spokesman called their lawsuit "dumb" and "frivolous" back in July.
Turns out the Governor was right.
The Supreme Court kicked the case down to circuit court without even commenting on the Democrats' arguments.
That should have told them something.
Alligator Alcatraz Faces Multiple Legal Battles
The access lawsuit isn't the only legal fight over Florida's detention facilities.
Three separate federal lawsuits challenge practices at Alligator Alcatraz.
Attorneys for detainees describe conditions as deplorable — rainwater floods the tents and officers pressure people to sign removal orders before they can talk to lawyers.
One lawsuit demands the facility be shut down entirely because immigration is a federal issue and Florida has no authority to run it.
A second lawsuit seeks to guarantee detainees can communicate privately with their attorneys.
A federal judge ordered the facility to wind down operations over environmental concerns last summer.
But an appellate court put that decision on hold.
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Alligator Alcatraz opened at the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport surrounded by the Everglades and Big Cypress National Preserve.
President Trump toured the facility in July and called it "incredible."
The Trump administration holds up Florida's partnership as a model for other state-run detention facilities.
DeSantis waited for federal reimbursement on construction costs that topped $450 million for the first year.
Florida leads the nation in agreements with the Department of Homeland Security allowing state and local law enforcement to participate in immigration enforcement across all 67 counties.
Democrat lawmakers and activists keep attacking the facilities as "cruel and inhumane."
They call them concentration camps and compare them to human rights disasters.
But voters in Florida disagree.
They elected DeSantis to crack down on illegal immigration and he's delivering exactly what he promised.
The Democrat lawsuit getting tossed shows judges aren't buying the Left's hysteria over border enforcement.
DeSantis used emergency powers to fast-track the facilities without typical environmental reviews or local government approval.
Democrats argued that exceeded his authority.
The courts keep ruling otherwise.
Florida officials seized county-owned land for Alligator Alcatraz using powers authorized by the Governor's emergency order.
State officials say the rugged and remote location serves as a deterrent.
The name "Alligator Alcatraz" became official after Trump's visit — signs went up along the highway leading to the site.
DeSantis said 63% of illegal aliens arrested had prior criminal records.
Those numbers justify the aggressive enforcement approach Florida takes.
Democrats want to hamstring law enforcement and let criminal illegal aliens roam free in communities.
Florida chose a different path.
The legal victories keep stacking up for DeSantis as he expands the detention network.
Democrats filed their frivolous lawsuits expecting judges to side with them.
Instead, courts recognize that border security and immigration enforcement fall under legitimate government authority.
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The third Panhandle facility awaits Department of Homeland Security approval.
DeSantis made clear he'll "stand by" if they don't approve it.
But he thinks they should approve it since the Trump administration needs more detention space.
"I don't think they're where they need to be in the detention space," DeSantis said.
The Governor's press secretary said specific locations won't be announced until federal approval comes through.
Florida keeps pushing forward on immigration enforcement despite constant Democrat attacks.
The legal system keeps validating the approach.
And Trump's administration keeps praising Florida as the model other states should follow.
Sources:
- Mike Schneider, "Florida awaiting federal approval for 3rd immigration detention center," Associated Press, January 5, 2026.
- Jim Saunders, "Gov. Ron DeSantis seeks to scuttle Alligator Alcatraz access case," News Service Florida, January 5, 2026.
- News Service of Florida, "Democrats' lawsuit to access 'Alligator Alcatraz' rejected," NBC Miami, January 6, 2026.
- CBS Miami Team, "Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro 'deserves to be brought to justice,' Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis says," CBS News, January 5, 2026.
