MIAMI (AP) — A federal judge in Miami has issued a divisional decision in a lawsuit relating to the legal rights of detainees at the Florida Everglades “Wannial Catraz” Immigration Detention Center, dismissing a portion of the lawsuit and moving the case to another jurisdiction.
US District Judge Rodolfo Lewis announced the decision late Monday, writing in a 47-page ruling that detainees at the facility argued that lawyers and immigration court hearings were not kept confidential.
The judge heard debate from both sides during a hearing early Monday in Miami. Civil rights attorneys had sought a preliminary injunction to allow detainees at the facility to access and receive hearings.
The state and federal governments had argued that the Southern District of Florida was the wrong venue, as Florida’s southern district is located in neighbouring Collier County, in the state’s central district, despite the isolated runway where the facility is located.
Judge Lewis had suggested at last week’s hearing that he had some concerns about which jurisdiction would be appropriate.
State and federal defendants held the same argument last week about the jurisdiction of the second case filed by the Environmental Group and the Mikkoskie tribe to halt further construction and operation at the Everglades Detention Center until complying with federal environmental laws.
On August 7th, Miami District Judge Kathleen Williams testified at last week’s hearing but ordered a 14-day suspension with additional construction on the site. She said she plans to issue a ruling later this week before the order expires. She had not yet controlled the venue’s questions.
