ORLANDO, Fla. — U.S. government attorneys have recently reported that detainees at the controversial immigration detention center, informally known as 'Alligator Alcatraz' located in the Florida Everglades, likely include individuals who have never been in removal proceedings. This revelation directly contradicts statements made by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who has insisted since the facility opened in July that all detainees were already subject to final removal orders.
In a court filing, lawyers from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) argued that the detainees at this facility possess a diverse array of immigration statuses, making it impossible for them to be certified as a class in a lawsuit regarding their access to legal counsel.
The DOJ emphasized that the proposed lawsuit's claim, which encompasses all detainees at 'Alligator Alcatraz,' lacks validity, as many of them might not have been in removal proceedings at all.
During a press conference on July 25, Governor DeSantis stated, “Everybody here is already on a final removal order,” reiterating this assertion multiple times in subsequent remarks.
Despite these claims, a lawsuit initiated by civil rights organizations now seeks to ensure that detainees receive adequate access to legal representation, alleging violations of their constitutional rights. The plaintiffs have requested a preliminary injunction from the federal court for greater protections regarding private meetings with lawyers.
This facility, hastily built and operated by private contractors with state support, has been subject to criticism and legal challenges from environmental and civil rights groups since its inception. Previous federal court orders mandated a winding down of operations due to insufficient environmental reviews, although activities continued after an appellate court issued a hold on that injunction.
As the discourse surrounding immigration continues to be a contentious issue in Florida, these developments shine a light on the ongoing complexities within federal immigration practices and the state’s enforcement policies.
