Florida Everglades Detention Center Accused of Punishing Detainees Seeking Legal Help

Detainees say they faced retaliation for trying to contact attorneys, including having monitored calls dropped.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 4:47pm

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Two former detainees at an immigration detention center in the Florida Everglades known as 'Alligator Alcatraz' testified that they could be punished for seeking legal advice, including having their monitored calls to the outside dropped whenever they talked about getting an attorney. The detainees' lawsuit claims their First Amendment rights are being violated by restrictive policies around accessing legal counsel.

Why it matters

This case highlights concerns about the treatment of immigration detainees and their ability to access the legal system, which is a fundamental right. The allegations of retaliation and restrictive policies at the Everglades facility raise questions about the state's role in operating immigration detention centers and whether detainees' constitutional rights are being upheld.

The details

The two former detainees, one deported to Colombia and another sent back to Haiti, testified that they had to write down phone numbers for attorneys on walls and beds using soap because they had no access to pen and paper. They said their calls to people outside the detention center would be dropped whenever they talked about seeking legal advice or trying to get an attorney. The detainees' lawsuit claims their attorneys have to make an appointment to visit three days in advance, unlike at other immigration detention facilities where lawyers can just show up during visiting hours.

  • The Everglades facility was built last summer at a remote airstrip by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis' administration.
  • The two-day hearing started on Wednesday, January 28, 2026.

The players

Everglades Detention Center

Also known as 'Alligator Alcatraz', this state-run immigration detention center in the Florida Everglades is at the center of the lawsuit.

Ron DeSantis

The Republican governor of Florida who oversaw the construction of the Everglades detention center.

Juan Lopez Vega

The deputy field office director of ICE's enforcement and removal operations in Miami, who testified at the hearing.

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What’s next

U.S. District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell will decide whether to grant a temporary injunction that would ensure detainees at the Everglades facility get the same access to their attorneys as they do at federally-run detention centers.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges faced by immigration detainees in accessing legal counsel, a fundamental right. The allegations of retaliation and restrictive policies at the Everglades facility raise concerns about the treatment of detainees and the state's role in operating immigration detention centers.