ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Attorneys for detainees at an immigration detention center in the Florida Everglades, known as 'Alligator Alcatraz,' have requested that a federal judge conduct an unscheduled visit to the facility, aiming to verify whether detainees have adequate access to legal counsel. During a filing made on Friday, the attorneys urged U.S. District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell to undertake the visit within the next two months, focused on understanding if lawyers can meet with detainees in a confidential and timely manner.
The facility, which was established earlier this summer by the administration of Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, has been facing scrutiny due to allegations that detainees are often hindered in their ability to engage with legal representatives. Reports indicate that attorneys must schedule appointments three days in advance to meet their clients—contrary to practices at other detention facilities where unscheduled visits during open hours are permitted. Additionally, detainees have been reportedly transferred out of the facility just as appointments have been secured, and overly lengthy delays have left many unable to meet with their legal counsel before essential deadlines.
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Federal courts routinely conduct site visits as a valid fact-finding tool, especially in cases involving conditions of confinement,' the attorneys wrote in their request.
However, attorneys representing the state of Florida voiced strong objections, arguing that a federal judge lacks the authority to inspect state facilities and that such a visit could induce security risks and burdens on facility personnel, potentially disrupting operations.
As of now, the judge has not issued a ruling on the request. The U.S. District Judge, who is based in Fort Myers, previously arranged a meeting between the detainees' lawyers and state and federal attorneys last week to pursue a resolution, but the discussions collapsed after nine hours without agreement.
This case regarding access to legal representation is part of a wider set of legal challenges aimed at the immigration detention center. Another lawsuit is underway in federal court alleging that immigration is a federal matter, thus claiming that Florida's involvement as well as the private contractors hired to manage the facility is unauthorized under federal law. Last week, a judge denied a preliminary injunction to close the detention facility.
In a third lawsuit last summer, a federal judge ordered the center to phase down operations due to a failure to conduct an environmental impact review, though an appellate panel has since paused that decision, permitting the facility to remain operational. Detainees have reported poor conditions, including malfunctioning toilets and rampant insect issues, prompting wider concern about the facility's management amid calls for reform.
The facility, which was established earlier this summer by the administration of Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, has been facing scrutiny due to allegations that detainees are often hindered in their ability to engage with legal representatives. Reports indicate that attorneys must schedule appointments three days in advance to meet their clients—contrary to practices at other detention facilities where unscheduled visits during open hours are permitted. Additionally, detainees have been reportedly transferred out of the facility just as appointments have been secured, and overly lengthy delays have left many unable to meet with their legal counsel before essential deadlines.
'
Federal courts routinely conduct site visits as a valid fact-finding tool, especially in cases involving conditions of confinement,' the attorneys wrote in their request.
However, attorneys representing the state of Florida voiced strong objections, arguing that a federal judge lacks the authority to inspect state facilities and that such a visit could induce security risks and burdens on facility personnel, potentially disrupting operations.
As of now, the judge has not issued a ruling on the request. The U.S. District Judge, who is based in Fort Myers, previously arranged a meeting between the detainees' lawyers and state and federal attorneys last week to pursue a resolution, but the discussions collapsed after nine hours without agreement.
This case regarding access to legal representation is part of a wider set of legal challenges aimed at the immigration detention center. Another lawsuit is underway in federal court alleging that immigration is a federal matter, thus claiming that Florida's involvement as well as the private contractors hired to manage the facility is unauthorized under federal law. Last week, a judge denied a preliminary injunction to close the detention facility.
In a third lawsuit last summer, a federal judge ordered the center to phase down operations due to a failure to conduct an environmental impact review, though an appellate panel has since paused that decision, permitting the facility to remain operational. Detainees have reported poor conditions, including malfunctioning toilets and rampant insect issues, prompting wider concern about the facility's management amid calls for reform.
