A federal judge on Thursday denied a request to close the Everglades detention center nicknamed “Alligator Alcatraz,” saying the detainee who sought the order had not demonstrated the irreparable harm required for such relief.
The Court’s Decision
U.S. District Judge Kyle Dudek, nominated by President Donald Trump, ruled that the plaintiff-identified only as M.A. in court papers-had not met the high burden of proof necessary for a preliminary injunction. The judge noted that while there may be deficiencies at Alligator Alcatraz that could justify its dissolution, the plaintiff had not made the extraordinary showing needed to justify immediate relief of such magnitude.
M.A. had filed a lawsuit in federal court in Fort Myers, Florida, challenging the legality of the facility. The judge emphasized that the request to close a sizable and expensive detention center before any decision on the merits of its legality was premature.
Background of the Facility
Alligator Alcatraz was built this summer at a remote airstrip in the Florida Everglades by the administration of Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis. The detention center is operated by Florida agencies and private contractors hired by the state, a fact that M.A. argues conflicts with federal law.
The facility was designed to hold immigration detainees. Detainees who enter the center disappear from the normal detainee tracking system and have difficulty accessing legal help, according to the lawsuit.
Legal Arguments
M.A.’s lawsuit asserts that immigration is a federal issue and that Florida agencies and private contractors hired by the state have no authority to operate the facility under federal law. In his request for a preliminary injunction, the plaintiff stated:
> “The statute requires federal control over all delegated enforcement activities. Yet Florida asserts that it has total control over detention decisions.”
The judge’s decision does not address the underlying legal arguments; it merely denies the immediate request for closure.
Related Judicial Actions
In a separate case, a federal judge in Miami last summer ordered the facility to wind down operations over two months because officials had failed to conduct a review of the detention center’s environmental impact. However, an appellate court panel put that decision on hold, allowing the facility to remain open.
These earlier rulings illustrate the complex legal landscape surrounding Alligator Alcatraz, with multiple courts evaluating different aspects of the center’s operation.
The Third Lawsuit
A third lawsuit involves detainees seeking a ruling that would ensure they have access to confidential communications with their attorneys. The plaintiffs claim that:
- Detainees’ attorneys must make an appointment to visit three days in advance, unlike at other detention facilities where lawyers can simply show up during visiting hours.
- Detainees are often transferred to other facilities after attorneys have made an appointment to see them.
- Scheduling delays are so extensive that detainees are unable to meet with attorneys before key deadlines.
A federal judge in that case ordered the detainees’ lawyers and attorneys for the state and federal government defendants to meet on Tuesday to resolve the matter. The parties notified the court on Wednesday that they were unable to reach a resolution despite nine hours of talks.
Key Takeaways
- Judge Kyle Dudek denied a preliminary injunction to close Alligator Alcatraz, citing insufficient evidence of irreparable harm.
- M.A.’s lawsuit challenges the legality of the facility, arguing that Florida lacks authority to operate it under federal law.
- Two other lawsuits address environmental compliance and attorneys’ access to detainees, with ongoing court proceedings.
The denial of the injunction leaves the detention center open while the underlying legal challenges continue in federal court. The outcome of the lawsuits will determine whether the facility can remain operational under current state and federal regulations.
Closing
The federal court’s decision underscores the procedural hurdles detainees face when seeking immediate relief for alleged abuses at immigration detention centers. As the legal battles over Alligator Alcatraz proceed, the fate of the facility-and the rights of the detainees it holds-remain in the balance of the courts.
