Aug 18, 02:38 PM

Judge Mulls Legal-Access Injunction at Florida’s ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ Camp

A federal judge in Miami on Monday weighed allegations that hundreds of non-citizens held at the remote immigration camp nicknamed “Alligator Alcatraz” have been effectively cut off from their lawyers. Civil-rights attorneys led by the American Civil Liberties Union asked U.S. District Judge Rodolfo Ruiz to issue a preliminary injunction guaranteeing confidential legal meetings and to declare which immigration court has jurisdiction so detainees can seek bond or release. State and federal officials rejected claims of a “legal black hole,” telling the court that videoconferencing has been available since 15 July and in-person visits since 28 July. They agreed to designate the Krome North Service Processing Center near Miami as the responsible immigration court, but insisted broader operations comply with due-process rules. Before addressing those merits, Ruiz questioned whether the case belongs in Florida’s Southern District, noting the tent complex sits in neighboring Collier County. He suggested splitting the lawsuit—keeping the federal claims in Miami while sending the state claims north—but ended the day without a ruling, promising a swift decision. Monday’s hearing is one of two fronts for the controversial site. U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams earlier this month froze further construction for 14 days while considering an environmental challenge. At the same time, Governor Ron DeSantis has signaled plans to open a second detention hub, the so-called “Deportation Depot,” at a state prison in north Florida to expand capacity.