FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — A federal judge in Florida is urging civil rights attorneys and legal representatives for the state and federal government to convene next month in hopes of resolving a lawsuit regarding the accessibility of legal representation for detainees at an immigration center in the Everglades, infamously referred to as “Alligator Alcatraz.”
During a recent status hearing, U.S. District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell announced a conference scheduled for December 16-17 at her Fort Myers courtroom. I think we’re closer on a lot of issues than we were before, she asserted, expressing optimism that all parties could reach agreements that respect the rights of the plaintiffs without imposing excessive burdens on the defendants.
Attorneys representing the detainees are currently pursuing a preliminary injunction aimed at facilitating better communication and visits between detainees and their legal representatives. The detention center, constructed last summer on a remote airstrip in the Everglades, was established by Republican Governor Ron DeSantis's administration.
Eunice Cho, an attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union, highlighted significant barriers the detainees face in accessing legal counsel, including a requirement to schedule visits three days in advance, a stark contrast to other facilities where attorneys can meet clients during visiting hours. Such constraints often result in detainees being transferred before their attorneys can meet with them, particularly when key legal deadlines loom.
Nicholas J.P. Meros, a state attorney, responded to these concerns by noting that most issues raised by detainees and their advocates have been addressed. He attributed earlier delays to the logistical challenges of building a facility to house thousands in an isolated area with limited resources.
The lawsuit is part of three ongoing federal cases regarding the facility. One separate environmental case allowed the center to maintain operations after a federal appellate court placed a hold on a lower court's injunction that aimed to shut it down by the end of October.
In a third lawsuit, it is asserted that immigration falls under federal jurisdiction, claiming that both Florida agencies and private contractors lack the authority to manage the facility.
Former President Donald Trump visited the site in July, proposing that the facility could serve as a prototype for similar institutions across the nation as discussions about expanding deportation processes continue. The center, built and run by state resources and private contractors, has received federal approval for $608 million to support its operations.
