• A federal judge dismissed part of a lawsuit over detainees' legal access at 'Alligator Alcatraz'.
• Judge Ruiz ruled that recent designations of jurisdiction rendered some claims moot.
• The remaining First Amendment claims will proceed in a different court.
• Access to legal counsel for detainees has been a significant point of contention.

A federal judge in Miami has dismissed parts of a lawsuit filed by immigrant advocates challenging the legal access of detainees at the immigration detention center known as “Alligator Alcatraz.” Judge Rodolfo Ruiz found that many detained plaintiffs had received access to legal counsel, thereby rendering some claims moot. This decision followed a recent designation by the Trump administration that established the Krome North Processing Center as the immigration court with jurisdiction over cases from the detention facility, located in the Florida Everglades, according to ABC News and The Hill.

The judge’s ruling indicates a shift in the legal landscape for the detainees, as many have since been transferred out of the facility. Judge Ruiz described the case as “a classic case of mootness,” pointing out that appropriate access to counsel has been ensured for many detainees, states Los Angeles Times and Newsweek.

While the Fifth Amendment claims related to access to immigration courts have been dismissed, the judge permitted First Amendment claims that allege detainees lack confidential communication with counsel to continue. This includes issues surrounding delays in scheduling legal meetings and the inability to communicate privately. Affected detainees reported that they were often unable to contact their lawyers in a timely manner or were pressured to sign legal documents without representation, according to ABC News and The Hill.

The lawsuit highlighted the conditions at Alligator Alcatraz, which was built swiftly under the Trump administration’s directives, with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis supporting its development as a deterrent for illegal immigration. The facility, expected to cost $450 million annually, has faced criticism regarding its conditions. Attorneys for the detainees have emphasized that it should not require legal action for the federal government to provide necessary legal access, as noted by Los Angeles Times and Newsweek.