Reps. Soto, Frost Strongly Oppose New ICE Detention Center in Central Florida

Democratic Congressmen cite abuse, injustice, and fear among constituents in letter to DHS and ICE

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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U.S. Representatives Darren Soto and Maxwell Alejandro Frost, both Democrats, have sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement strongly opposing the opening of a new ICE detention center in Central Florida. The lawmakers cited well-documented abuse and injustices at existing ICE facilities in the state, as well as the destabilizing impact on local communities and the fear felt by even legal immigrants.

Why it matters

The proposed ICE detention center has raised significant concerns among Central Florida residents and elected officials about the treatment of immigrants, the impact on local communities, and the erosion of civil liberties. The letter from Reps. Soto and Frost reflects growing political opposition to expanded immigration enforcement efforts in the region.

The details

In their letter, the Democratic Congressmen argued that 'abuse and injustices in Florida at the hands of ICE are well-documented,' citing issues like pest infestations, poor nutrition, and overcrowding at the Everglades Detention Center. They also expressed concerns about the proposed facility's location in an industrial warehouse not zoned for human habitation, as well as the risks to human safety in the event of natural disasters. The lawmakers stated that the 'crackdown on immigration has been a costly effort for our state that has only served to destabilize our communities and cause egregious human rights violations,' and that 'our constituents live in fear, including those here legally.'

  • On February 15, 2026, Reps. Soto and Frost sent the letter to DHS and ICE opposing the new detention center.
  • Last month, ICE agents were reported to have toured an industrial warehouse in Orlando as a potential site for the new facility.

The players

Rep. Darren Soto

A Democratic U.S. Representative for Florida's 9th congressional district, which includes parts of Central Florida.

Rep. Maxwell Alejandro Frost

A Democratic U.S. Representative for Florida's 10th congressional district, which also includes parts of Central Florida.

Kristi Noem

The U.S. Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

Todd Lyons

The Acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

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What they’re saying

“Abuse and injustices in Florida at the hands of ICE are well-documented. At the Everglades Detention Center ('Alligator Alcatraz'), there have been numerous reports of pest infestations, poor nutrition, and packing of detainees into crowded cages.”

— Reps. Darren Soto and Maxwell Frost, U.S. Representatives (westorlandonews.com)

“Our constituents live in fear, including those here legally, and further expansion in Florida will only further harm our constituents and our communities.”

— Reps. Darren Soto and Maxwell Frost, U.S. Representatives (westorlandonews.com)

What’s next

The Department of Homeland Security and ICE will need to decide whether to proceed with the proposed detention center in Central Florida in the face of strong opposition from local elected officials.

The takeaway

This letter highlights the growing political backlash against expanded immigration enforcement efforts in Central Florida, where local communities have raised concerns about human rights abuses, the destabilizing impact on neighborhoods, and the erosion of civil liberties for both documented and undocumented immigrants.