MIAMI — A federal judge on Monday evaluated claims surrounding the legal rights of detainees at a temporary immigration detention center in the Florida Everglades, amid ongoing litigation concerning operations at the facility, dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz.”
In the second of two lawsuits addressing conditions at the center, civil rights attorneys urged U.S. District Judge Rodolfo Ruiz to issue a preliminary injunction that would guarantee detainees have confidential access to their legal representatives. The state of Florida has contested these assertions, insisting that such access has not been denied.
The attorneys also sought to clarify which immigration court oversees the detention center, allowing them to file petitions for detainees’ bonds or releases. They argued that immigration court hearings for these cases have frequently been canceled by judges asserting they lack jurisdiction.
At the outset of Monday’s hearing, government attorneys designated the Krome North Service Processing Center in Miami as the appropriate court for detaining matters, aiming to alleviate some concerns raised by the civil rights lawyers. However, Judge Ruiz emphasized he expected any changes to that designation to be well justified.
Before addressing the substantive issues regarding the detainees’ rights, Ruiz inquired about the lawsuit’s jurisdiction. The state and federal defendants contended that although the facility is in proximity to Miami-Dade County, it technically lies in Collier County, placing it outside the jurisdiction of Miami’s southern district.
The hearing concluded without an immediate decision from the judge. However, Ruiz indicated that cases against federal defendants may be better situated in the southern district, considering that a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in Miami oversees the detention center’s operations. Conversely, he expressed that claims against state officials might be more fitting for the middle district due to the location of the alleged violations.
All involved parties seemed to agree that, should the case against the state defendants be moved, the federal case should follow suit.
This legal battle unfolds as another federal judge, Kathleen Williams, reviews whether further construction and operation of the facility should be suspended due to alleged violations of federal environmental regulations. A previous ruling mandated a temporary halt to construction while testimonies were gathered, with a decision expected soon.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced plans last week to create a second immigration detention facility, referred to as “Deportation Depot,” at a state prison in northern Florida. The governor justified this new center by claiming it would bolster the capacity to detain and deport immigrants.
State officials have pushed back against accusations that detainees at “Alligator Alcatraz” have been denied meetings with their attorneys. They asserted that since implementing videoconferencing on July 15 and allowing in-person meetings starting on July 28, all requests for legal consultations have been fulfilled.
However, civil rights attorneys countered that even with scheduled meetings, these occurred in non-private settings, which they argue is more restrictive than conditions in other facilities. They criticized scheduling delays and excessive notice requirements, claiming these practices undermine detainees’ constitutional rights.
Furthermore, attorneys reported that detainees are allegedly being pressured by officers to sign voluntary removal orders prior to any consultation with their attorneys, with some being deported without final removal orders. As escalating health issues and flooding conditions persist, they suggest detainees are growing increasingly desperate.
Judge Ruiz expressed intentions to provide a prompt ruling on the matters discussed during the hearing.
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