End of Legal Challenge at Controversial Florida Immigration Detention Center

Tue Jan 13 2026 22:58:35 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A recent court case involving an immigrant detainee at the heavily criticized Florida Everglades detention center concluded with the detainee agreeing to leave the U.S.

The case concerning M.A., a Chilean immigrant held at the infamous 'Alligator Alcatraz,' concluded after he agreed to leave the United States voluntarily. His attorneys cited significant issues at the facility, including lack of access to legal aid and concerns surrounding legal authority of state-operated detention centers. M.A. experienced severe health issues while detained, leading to hospitalization and use of a wheelchair. Amid controversies, the detention center remains operational pending further legal reviews.

ORLANDO, Fla. — One of the three lawsuits challenging the controversial Florida immigration detention center, colloquially known as 'Alligator Alcatraz,' has come to an end after the immigrant detainee agreed to leave the United States. This decision was confirmed by his attorneys earlier this week.

The detainee, referred to as M.A. in court documents, made the request for dismissal of his federal court case in Fort Myers, Florida, on Monday. His lawyers stated that he is no longer in custody at the facility and has formally agreed to leave the U.S., planning to return to Chile shortly.

The lawsuit asserted that immigration issues fall under federal jurisdiction and criticized the Florida state-run detention facility for lacking proper legal authority. It claimed that detainees were often lost in the system and struggled to access their legal rights, drawing attention to the operational challenges that had been observed since the facility began accepting detainees last summer.

Amid a wider trend of states supporting stricter immigration controls, Florida has been at the forefront of establishing multiple detention facilities, adding pressures on immigrant detainees in the region. Despite ongoing litigation, the facility continues to operate as further legal action seeks to address conditions and oversight measures.

M.A., married to a U.S. citizen and having five stepchildren who also hold American citizenship, initially entered the U.S. in 2018 on a visa and subsequently applied for asylum. His arrest last July led to his detainment at the Everglades facility where he faced severe health issues including hospitalization, troubling physical conditions, and challenges with communication concerning his legal status.

As the situation unfolds, many in the legal community and humanitarian organizations are watching closely, raising questions not only about M.A.'s case but also the broader implications of state-operated immigration detention centers.