Miami, FL — A federal judge in Miami has dismissed several key claims in a prominent lawsuit challenging conditions and detainee rights at the controversial immigration detention center deep in the Florida Everglades, known locally as “Alligator Alcatraz.” The remaining portions of the case have been transferred to a different federal district, marking a new phase in a legal battle that has drawn nationwide attention.

The lawsuit, filed earlier this year by immigrant advocacy groups and detainees, alleged widespread constitutional violations, including inadequate medical care, limited access to attorneys, and unsafe living conditions at the remote detention facility.

In a ruling issued Monday, the judge dismissed claims seeking broad constitutional remedies, citing federal law that restricts the court’s authority in Miami. However, the judge allowed other claims—particularly those involving specific allegations of mistreatment and facility management—to move forward and ordered the case to be transferred to the district where the detention center is located.

Officially named the Everglades Immigrant Detention Center but more commonly referred to as “Alligator Alcatraz,” the facility has faced intense criticism since opening just over a month ago. Its remote location has sparked concern from immigrant rights advocates, who argue it hampers detainees’ ability to access legal counsel and families’ opportunities to visit.

Plaintiffs’ attorneys expressed mixed reactions to the ruling. “While disappointed that some claims were dismissed, we remain committed to fighting for justice for those held in substandard and unlawful conditions,” said one attorney representing the detainees.

The federal government defended the facility’s operations, stating it complies with required standards and provides detainees with medical care, food, and legal access. A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson declined to comment directly on the ruling but reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to the safety and well-being of those in its custody.

The case will now proceed in the district encompassing the Everglades facility. Legal experts note the transfer could prolong the process by months or longer, but it also focuses the lawsuit on claims most likely to withstand judicial scrutiny.

For the hundreds of detainees currently held at “Alligator Alcatraz,” the case’s outcome could shape not only their treatment but also the broader legal standards governing immigration detention in the United States.