Detainees to Testify About Legal Access at 'Alligator Alcatraz'

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Former detainees are set to testify Wednesday about conditions at an immigration detention center in the Florida Everglades known as 'Alligator Alcatraz'. Civil rights attorneys representing the detainees are seeking a temporary injunction from a federal judge to ensure detainees get the same access to their attorneys as they do at federally-run detention centers. The detainees' lawsuit claims their First Amendment rights are being violated due to restrictive policies around attorney visits.

Why it matters

This case highlights concerns about access to legal counsel for immigration detainees, especially at state-run facilities like 'Alligator Alcatraz' that may have more restrictive policies than federal detention centers. The outcome could set an important precedent around detainee rights and the role of state governments in immigration enforcement.

The details

The detainees' lawsuit claims that their attorneys have to make appointments to visit three days in advance, unlike at other facilities where lawyers can just show up during visiting hours. They also allege detainees are often transferred to other facilities after their attorneys had made an appointment, and scheduling delays have prevented them from meeting attorneys before key deadlines. State officials deny restricting access and say protocols are in place for security and staffing reasons.

• The Everglades facility was built last summer by Florida's Republican governor.
• The two-day hearing before the federal judge is happening on Wednesday and Thursday.

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide whether to grant a temporary injunction that would ensure detainees at the 'Alligator Alcatraz' facility get the same access to their attorneys as at other immigration detention centers.