Florida recently opened its second state-run immigration detention center, “Deportation Depot,” following a federal judge’s decision to temporarily block the winding down of Alligator Alcatraz. While Deportation Depot, located in Sanderson, may avoid environmental legal issues, it still raises concerns over facility management and potential violations of constitutional rights. Since 2010, the Online Detainee Locator System (ODLS) has tracked federal immigration detainees. However, with the emergence of state-run centers, many detainees are missing from this system, complicating communication for families and legal representatives.
As of September 10, Deportation Depot housed 248 detainees, none of whom were listed in the ODLS. Similarly, at Alligator Alcatraz, a significant number of detainees were also untracked. This has raised alarms regarding access to legal representation and violation of First and Fifth Amendment rights. With further expansions planned and similar facilities springing up nationwide, the future of detainee rights and visibility remains uncertain.
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