DeSantis is one of the best governors in the country. His leadership has helped transform Florida into a coveted destination.
And Ron DeSantis is full steam ahead with an immigration plan that’s causing Leftists to lose their minds.
Florida’s Immigration Crackdown
In the heart of the Florida Everglades, Governor Ron DeSantis is spearheading a robust immigration enforcement initiative at Alligator Alcatraz, a migrant detention facility where deportations are already in motion. DeSantis has shared that the facility is rapidly filling, with plans to expand operations to Camp Blanding only once Alligator Alcatraz reaches its full capacity.
“I’m willing to do Blanding once Alligator Alcatraz is filled, and so DHS has started moving in a significant number of people. I think you’re going to — and they’re starting to deport people from there too,” DeSantis said. “Remember, this is not the Ritz Carlton, ok?” The facility is designed for efficiency, not comfort, focusing on swift processing to facilitate deportations.
DeSantis stressed that Alligator Alcatraz is not a long-term shelter. “We’re not doing this just to let people have food and shelter, although they do get that,” he said.
“But the reality is it’s there to be a quick processing center so that they can — we have a runway right there, they can just be flown back to their home country.” The nearby airstrip is a key feature, enabling rapid deportations and reinforcing the facility’s purpose.
Efficiency drives DeSantis’s strategy. He estimates Alligator Alcatraz can house 3,000 to 4,000 migrants with ease. “We have not yet received that many illegal aliens yet there, but it has grown pretty quickly,” he noted, suggesting the facility could hit capacity in a matter of weeks.
To avoid spreading resources too thin, DeSantis is holding off on activating Camp Blanding. “But what I don’t want to do is set up Blanding, if, you know, one is 60 percent full and then the other is 40 percent [full]. I’d rather just have — channel everyone to Alligator, since it’s easier,” he explained. Camp Blanding could accommodate a smaller number using existing infrastructure or scale up to 2,000–3,000 with temporary structures, depending on demand.
The detainee population at Alligator Alcatraz consists primarily of “military age males,” many with criminal backgrounds. “These are folks — and a lot of them have criminal records. But that’s what’s happening here, and I think it’s been very effective now,” DeSantis said.
Per Breitbart News, notable cases include an MS-13 gang member, Oscar “Satan” Sanchez, and a Cuban migrant accused of a violent attack on an elderly woman in Key Largo, highlighting the facility’s focus on serious offenders.
DeSantis didn’t hold back in criticizing political opponents, accusing them of misplaced priorities. “Have you ever seen these Democrats in Florida fight this hard for you as an American citizen? I haven’t seen that.”
“In fact, they’ve opposed almost everything that we’ve done over these many years, and yet they’re fighting tooth and nail to not have illegal aliens deported to their home country.”
Echoes of Trump’s Immigration Playbook
Governor DeSantis’s immigration policies closely align with the hardline stance of President Donald Trump, reflecting a shared commitment to aggressive enforcement and rapid deportations. Trump’s administration prioritizes detaining and removing undocumented migrants, often using measures to streamline the process, much like DeSantis’s use of Alligator Alcatraz as a quick-processing hub with an adjacent airstrip.
This focus on efficiency mirrors Trump’s efforts to expedite deportations, ensuring migrants are returned to their home countries with minimal delay.
Both leaders emphasize public safety, spotlighting the criminal records of detainees to justify their policies. Trump has frequently highlighted crimes committed by undocumented immigrants to rally support.
DeSantis’s strategic use of resources, such as leveraging existing infrastructure at Camp Blanding or expanding with temporary structures, echoes Trump’s pragmatic approach to scaling enforcement based on demand. Both leaders aim to avoid inefficiencies, ensuring facilities are used to their fullest potential before expanding operations. This calculated approach reflects a shared belief in responsive, results-driven immigration policy.
Politically, DeSantis adopts Trump’s confrontational rhetoric, framing opponents as prioritizing undocumented migrants over American citizens. His pointed question—“Have you ever seen these Democrats in Florida fight this hard for you as an American citizen?”—parallels Trump’s messaging, which often galvanized supporters by highlighting perceived double standards. By aligning his policies and tone with Trump’s, DeSantis reinforces a tough-on-immigration legacy that resonates with voters prioritizing border security and enforcement.
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