Everglades Detention Center: Court Weighs Env vs. Security

0:00On April 7, environmental groups hit up a federal appeals court this week to lift their temporary block on shutting down that immigration detention. Center in the Florida Everglades, nicknamed Alligator Alcatraz. A lower court judge back in mid-August ordered the state to close it within two months because they skipped a required federal environmental review. The facility popped up last summer to back the Trump administration's immigration push and is still running with detainees inside. The appeals court paused the shutdown order in early September, saying Florida hadn't even applied for federal reimbursement yet, so federal envy laws didn't kick in. During or arguments in a Miami courtroom, the three judges grilled lawyers on federal control over the state-built spot and when an envy review is. Truly needed. Florida's attorney stressed it takes both federal funding and control for the law to apply, even after FEMA Greenlit $608 million. Meanwhile, this envy suit is just one of three federal challenges to the center.

1:03One from a detainee wrapped up when he agreed to deportation, and another judge in four mayors ruled detainees get better lawyer access plus private, unmonitored calls. The center stays open for now with no ruling date from the judges, but these fights highlight the big tensions over immigration spots insensitive. Spots like the Everglades will see how the court balances envy protection and border security next. This has been US News Today, powered by AI.