ORLANDO, Fla. — U.S. government lawyers disclosed that detainees at the Florida Everglades immigration detention center, informally dubbed 'Alligator Alcatraz,' may include individuals who have never been in removal proceedings, significantly challenging claims put forth by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis since its inception in July.
In a court filing, Department of Justice (DOJ) attorneys argued that the diverse immigration statuses of the detainees prevent them from being classified under a single lawsuit regarding access to attorneys. They claimed that the detainees represent various stages in immigration processing, including individuals not yet subjected to removal proceedings, individuals with final orders of removal, and others awaiting expedited removal.
DeSantis has publicly stated that every individual at the facility has undergone legal scrutiny confirming their deportability, saying, 'Everybody here is already on a final removal order.' He insists that those at 'Alligator Alcatraz' are illegal immigrants who have been ordered to leave the United States.
The revelation by DOJ attorneys contradicts these assertions and adds weight to ongoing lawsuits filed by civil rights groups, alleging that detainees are being denied adequate legal counsel. These groups aim to secure a preliminary injunction that would guarantee proper access to attorneys for those held at the Everglades facility.
The facility, which has faced scrutiny and legal challenges since its rapid establishment earlier this summer, has been ordered by a federal court to shut down operations within months, agreeing with environmental activists who argue that the site was inadequately assessed for environmental impact before its transformation into a detention center.
Most recently, the facility housed over 900 detainees, although transfers have since reduced this number significantly. As operations continue amid legal turmoil, this situation underscores the complexities and controversies surrounding immigration enforcement in Florida, prompting further political and legal discourse in the state.
In a court filing, Department of Justice (DOJ) attorneys argued that the diverse immigration statuses of the detainees prevent them from being classified under a single lawsuit regarding access to attorneys. They claimed that the detainees represent various stages in immigration processing, including individuals not yet subjected to removal proceedings, individuals with final orders of removal, and others awaiting expedited removal.
DeSantis has publicly stated that every individual at the facility has undergone legal scrutiny confirming their deportability, saying, 'Everybody here is already on a final removal order.' He insists that those at 'Alligator Alcatraz' are illegal immigrants who have been ordered to leave the United States.
The revelation by DOJ attorneys contradicts these assertions and adds weight to ongoing lawsuits filed by civil rights groups, alleging that detainees are being denied adequate legal counsel. These groups aim to secure a preliminary injunction that would guarantee proper access to attorneys for those held at the Everglades facility.
The facility, which has faced scrutiny and legal challenges since its rapid establishment earlier this summer, has been ordered by a federal court to shut down operations within months, agreeing with environmental activists who argue that the site was inadequately assessed for environmental impact before its transformation into a detention center.
Most recently, the facility housed over 900 detainees, although transfers have since reduced this number significantly. As operations continue amid legal turmoil, this situation underscores the complexities and controversies surrounding immigration enforcement in Florida, prompting further political and legal discourse in the state.
