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DeSantis defends state-run immigration processing sites and says DHS reimbursements cover costs
Summary
Governor DeSantis defended state-operated immigration processing facilities, saying the Department of Homeland Security reimburses the state for costs and denying media reports of mistreatment as 'fabricated' during a press briefing on the proposed budget.
During the briefing Governor DeSantis addressed the state's role in immigration processing and defended state-run facilities against media reports.
DeSantis described several processing locations, including a site in Baker County he called a 'deportation depot,' and said the federal Department of Homeland Security reimburses the state's costs for those operations. "All that stuff is reimbursed, so we're even steven on that," he said, and added, "DHS has confirmed that. We actually have gotten reimbursed for stuff already."
The governor also said the sites are temporary and that when federal capacity is available the state will hand processing back to federal authorities. He disputed media accounts of abuse at facilities, calling some depictions "fabricated" and arguing that media narratives have relied on unverified claims. The administration did not produce DHS documentation at the event; no DHS representative appeared to confirm or dispute the governor's statements during the briefing.
Advocates, media outlets and federal officials were not present at the event to provide countervailing testimony; the governor's remarks are therefore administration assertions that would require independent confirmation or federal documentation to verify.
