DOJ Contradicts DeSantis on Diverse Immigration Statuses at Florida Detention Center

The Department of Justice has challenged Florida Governor Ron DeSantis's claims that all detainees at the immigration detention center known as "Alligator Alcatraz" are on final removal orders. DOJ lawyers revealed in court filings that the detainees comprise a diverse group with varying immigration statuses, including individuals who have never been in removal proceedings, those in ongoing proceedings, and others with final or expedited removal orders. This contradicts DeSantis's public assertions since the facility opened, where he stated that everyone detained had already been ordered removed from the country. The DOJ's position complicates efforts to certify the detainees as a single class in a lawsuit concerning their access to legal representation. The detention center, situated in the Florida Everglades, has been a focal point of debate over immigration enforcement and detainee rights. These developments highlight ongoing legal and political disputes over the handling and classification of immigrant detainees at the facility.