ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — A federal judge on Thursday denied a request for a preliminary injunction to close an immigration detention center in the Florida Everglades dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz,” stating that the detainee who requested the order, identified as M.A., failed to prove he was suffering irreparable harm at the facility. U.S. District Judge Kyle Dudek noted that while potential deficiencies might exist at the center that could justify its closure, M.A. did not provide the extraordinary evidence that would warrant immediate legal relief of such a significant nature.
M.A.'s legal actions are part of three federal lawsuits challenging practices at this detention center, which was established by the administration of Florida's Republican Governor, Ron DeSantis. One of the core claims in M.A.'s lawsuit is that immigration is fundamentally a federal issue, and thus state agencies and the private contractors managing the facility lack appropriate authority under federal law. The lawsuit further asserts that detainees lose visibility in the standard tracking system and face obstacles in obtaining legal support.
“ The statute requires federal control over all delegated enforcement activities. Yet Florida asserts that it has total control over detention decisions,” M.A. said in his injunction request. Dudek indicated he was exercising caution in denying the injunction since it involves closing a significant and costly detention facility before a resolution on its legality is achieved.
A prior ruling had mandated the facility to begin winding down operations due to insufficient environmental assessment; however, that order is currently on hold pending an appeal, allowing its continued operation. In another related lawsuit, detainees are advocating for guaranteed access to legal communications, highlighting operational barriers similar to those M.A. faced, which complicates their legal proceedings.
The ongoing legal disputes around Alligator Alcatraz underscore rising tensions over state management of immigration and the legal rights of those detained within such facilities.
M.A.'s legal actions are part of three federal lawsuits challenging practices at this detention center, which was established by the administration of Florida's Republican Governor, Ron DeSantis. One of the core claims in M.A.'s lawsuit is that immigration is fundamentally a federal issue, and thus state agencies and the private contractors managing the facility lack appropriate authority under federal law. The lawsuit further asserts that detainees lose visibility in the standard tracking system and face obstacles in obtaining legal support.
“ The statute requires federal control over all delegated enforcement activities. Yet Florida asserts that it has total control over detention decisions,” M.A. said in his injunction request. Dudek indicated he was exercising caution in denying the injunction since it involves closing a significant and costly detention facility before a resolution on its legality is achieved.
A prior ruling had mandated the facility to begin winding down operations due to insufficient environmental assessment; however, that order is currently on hold pending an appeal, allowing its continued operation. In another related lawsuit, detainees are advocating for guaranteed access to legal communications, highlighting operational barriers similar to those M.A. faced, which complicates their legal proceedings.
The ongoing legal disputes around Alligator Alcatraz underscore rising tensions over state management of immigration and the legal rights of those detained within such facilities.
