ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Attorneys for detainees at an immigration detention center in the Florida Everglades, known as 'Alligator Alcatraz', have filed a motion requesting a federal judge to conduct an in-person visit to assess whether detainees are given sufficient access to their lawyers.
On Friday, U.S. District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell was asked to carry out the visit within the next two months to evaluate if detainees can meet with their attorneys in a confidential manner. This facility was established earlier this year at a secluded airstrip by Governor Ron DeSantis’ administration.
The detainees' lawsuit outlines considerable obstacles faced by their attorneys, who are required to schedule appointments three days in advance, contrary to practices at many other immigration detention centers. They also raise concerns about detainees being transferred after meetings are pre-arranged and significant scheduling delays that hinder timely access to legal counsel.
Federal courts routinely conduct site visits as a valid fact-finding tool, especially in cases involving conditions of confinement, the attorneys stated. Meanwhile, legal representatives for the state oppose this request, asserting that a judge does not possess the authority to inspect state facilities and concerns regarding security risks.
State attorneys further emphasized that such a visit would impose a substantial burden on staff and disrupt operational activities at the facility. As of now, the judge has yet to make a decision regarding the request.
The judge is facilitating meetings between the detainees’ lawyers and the state and federal attorneys in an attempt to resolve ongoing issues. However, after nine hours of discussion, no agreement has been reached.
This legal case is part of a larger ongoing challenge against the operations of the 'Alligator Alcatraz' facility. Other lawsuits include arguments about the federal authority in immigration matters, and prior rulings to limit the facility's operations due to environmental concerns were recently stayed by an appellate court.
Conditions inside the facility have drawn scrutiny, with detainees reporting serious issues including malfunctioning toilets and pest infestations. Former President Donald Trump previously visited the center, proposing it as a potential model for future detention infrastructure aimed at ramping up deportations.
