Florida’s ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ Under Fire: Judge Demands Clarity Amid Rights Violation Claims

A federal judge in Miami has pushed for greater clarity in the contentious legal battle surrounding the “Alligator Alcatraz” immigration detention center in the Florida Everglades. U.S. District Judge Rodolfo Ruiz, an appointee of former President Donald Trump, yesterday declined to issue an immediate restraining order but demanded civil rights attorneys refile their complaint as a request for a preliminary injunction, setting an in-person court hearing for August 18, 2025.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and other civil rights lawyers argued in a virtual hearing on Monday, July 28, 2025, that detainees at the facility are being held without charges, denied access to legal counsel, and are being pressured to sign deportation orders. They alleged that 100 detainees have already been deported.

Nicholas Meros, representing Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, countered that the situation has evolved since the lawsuit was filed on July 16, 2025, stating that videoconference facilities and in-person meetings for attorney access are now available.

Judge Ruiz emphasized his role is to address proven constitutional violations and sought more information on agreements between federal and state governments regarding the center’s authority, calling the jurisdictional interplay a “black hole.” This marks the second lawsuit against the controversial facility, which also faces environmental challenges.

Critics condemn “Alligator Alcatraz” as inhumane, while Governor DeSantis and other state Republicans defend it as crucial to supporting federal immigration crackdowns. DeSantis, speaking Monday, reiterated his stance on deportations, asserting that opposing them equates to advocating for open borders.

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