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A federal judge in Florida is seeking an agreement between the parties involved regarding the operation of the immigration detention center known as "Alligator Alcatraz," located in the Everglades, where lawyers and civil organizations claim that detainees do not have adequate access to legal representation.
According to AP, Judge Sheri Polster Chappell of the Southern District of Florida has scheduled a judicial conference on December 16 and 17 at her court in Fort Myers, aimed at having attorneys from the federal government, the state of Florida, and civil rights advocates seek an out-of-court settlement that ensures the rights of detainees.
“I believe we are closer to resolving many issues than we were before,” said the magistrate during Monday's hearing.
"The parties can reach reasonable agreements that are not excessively burdensome for the State, but that allow the claimants to have the rights they deserve," he added.
The lawsuit was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which demands that the State implement measures to facilitate communication between detainees and their lawyers, as AP recalled.
According to lawyer Eunice Cho, attorneys must request an appointment three days in advance to visit their clients, unlike other facilities where admissions are allowed during visiting hours.
In many cases, detainees are transferred before the appointment, which, according to the ACLU, hinders their ability to prepare defenses or meet judicial deadlines.
The "Alligator Alcatraz" center was built last year at the behest of Republican Governor Ron DeSantis on a remote airstrip in the Everglades.
Since its opening, the complex has been surrounded by controversy due to its access conditions and isolated location, which complicates the presence of lawyers, family members, and humanitarian organizations, the news agency emphasized.
The state attorney, Nicholas J.P. Meros, stated that most of the concerns raised by the plaintiffs "have already been addressed" and attributed the initial delays to the logistical challenges of constructing a facility for thousands of detainees in an area lacking infrastructure.
The legal dispute is part of three ongoing federal proceedings.
In another case, an appeals court allowed the center to continue operating in September by suspending a previous order that required its gradual closure due to alleged environmental violations.
A third lawsuit asserts that immigration is a federal matter and that the state of Florida and its private contractors do not have the authority to operate immigration detention facilities.
President Donald Trump visited the center in July and described it as a “national model” for the future immigration detention system.
During the tour, he emphasized that his administration aims to expand infrastructure to expedite deportations.
Although the center was built and managed by the state, the federal government approved a reimbursement of $608 million to Florida for construction and operating expenses.
The December hearing will be crucial in determining the future of a facility that has become a symbol of the Trump administration's new immigration approach, amid promises of efficiency, accusations of abuse of power, and demands for respect for human rights.
A recent class-action lawsuit has once again brought to the forefront of discussion the "Alligator Alcatraz" immigration complex, denouncing inhumane conditions and severe restrictions on detainees' contact with their lawyers and families.
The complaint demands immediate changes in the management of the center and questions the extreme isolation of the facility.
These reports add to the federal government's acknowledgment that, indeed, at the “Alligator Alcatraz” center there are detained migrants, despite the initial lack of transparency surrounding its construction and operation by the state of Florida.
The official confirmation came amid questions regarding the legality of its operation and the role of private contractors in its management.
Months ago, it was reported that the Florida administration is facing a million-dollar dilemma regarding the costs associated with maintaining the complex, which relies on state funding amid unresolved federal legal resources.
The debate over the budget has fueled controversy regarding the sustainability and necessity of this infrastructure.
Meanwhile, a court order allowed the center to remain operational, despite legal attempts to force its closure.
A few days ago, the justice system determined that the detention center “Alligator Alcatraz” will continue operating, which was interpreted by its critics as a temporary victory for the state in the face of increasing human rights demands.
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