Judge orders Florida, federal officials to produce 'Alligator Alcatraz' agreements
Share and Follow


ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Federal and state officials in Florida must produce agreements showing which government agency or private contractor has legal authority to detain people or perform immigration officer roles at “Alligator Alcatraz,” the immigration detention facility in the Everglades, a federal judge said Monday.

Officials must provide by Thursday all written agreements and contracts showing who has legal custody of the hundreds of detainees at the facility that was hastily constructed more than a month ago on an isolated airstrip in South Florida’s Everglades wilderness, said U.S. District Judge Rodolfo Ruiz, an appointee of President Donald Trump.

Ruiz’s order was part of an ongoing civil rights lawsuit against the state and federal governments by immigration attorneys who say “Alligator Alcatraz” detainees’ constitutional rights are being violated since they are barred from meeting lawyers, are being held without any charges, and a federal immigration court has canceled bond hearings.

Who has authority over the detention center has been a murky issue since it opened at the beginning of July.

The federal government and Florida had asked that any disclosures be limited to agreements between U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and three Florida agencies — the Florida Highway Patrol, the Florida National Guard and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

The detainees’ attorneys had requested documents showing who was responsible for removal proceedings, as well as information on the number of employees at “Alligator Alcatraz,” but Ruiz said those requests from the detainees’ lawyers were too broad.

The lawsuit is the second to challenge “Alligator Alcatraz.” Environmental groups have sued federal and state officials, asking that the project be halted because the process didn’t follow state and federal environmental laws. A hearing on that lawsuit is set for Wednesday.

Separately, the Archdiocese of Miami said it celebrated the first Mass at the detention center on Saturday following weeks of negotiations.

“I am pleased that our request to provide for the pastoral care of the detainees has been accommodated,” Archdiocese of Miami Archbishop Thomas Wenski said Monday in a statement.

___

Kate Payne in Tallahassee, Florida, contributed to this report.

___

Follow Mike Schneider on the social platform Bluesky: @mikeysid.bsky.social.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Major storm system threatens Midwest with high winds, snow and rain before sweeping into Northeast

Powerful Storm Set to Unleash High Winds, Snow, and Rain Across Midwest and Northeast

Following a significant winter storm that recently covered parts of the Northeast…
Tentative deal reached between hockey league and union players, ECHL says

ECHL Announces Preliminary Agreement with Players’ Union to Resolve Dispute

After a recent strike by the Professional Hockey Players’ Association (PHPA) over…
Christmas target practice turns deadly as stray bullet kills Oklahoma woman sitting on porch

Tragic Holiday Mishap: Oklahoma Woman Fatally Struck by Stray Bullet During Christmas Target Practice

An Oklahoma resident is now facing charges of first-degree manslaughter after a…
Joe Rogan slams Trump's Biden plaque at White House: 'This is so crazy'

Joe Rogan Criticizes Trump’s Controversial Biden Plaque at White House: ‘This is So Crazy

In a recent episode of “The Joe Rogan Experience,” podcast host Joe…
Diff'rent Strokes child star Melanie Watson dies at 57

Remembering Melanie Watson: ‘Diff’rent Strokes’ Star Passes Away at 57

Melanie Watson, a former child star from the beloved series Diff’rent Strokes,…
Nigerian villagers in Jabo are rattled by US airstrikes that made their homes shake and the sky glow red

US Airstrikes Leave Jabo Villagers in Shock: Homes Tremble and Skies Turn Red in Nigeria

In the tranquil village of Jabo, Nigeria, 40-year-old farmer Sanusi Madabo was…
How sad Harry can't allow his children to join this happy band

Why Prince Harry’s Kids Are Missing Out on This Joyful Experience

The mother of one of my oldest friends was a constant presence…
3 injured in fight turned shooting at Jacksonville Westside bar, officers said

Three People Hurt in Shooting After Fight Erupts at Jacksonville Westside Bar, Police Report

A confrontation that began inside a restaurant escalated when the alleged shooter…