TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — 5 democratic Florida lawmakers filed a lawsuit towards the state after they had been denied entry to Alligator Alcatraz. They argue Governor Ron DeSantis violated state legislation and the Florida Structure by denying them entry.
The lawsuit desires to know what authority do the state and the governor have to dam legislators from getting into Alligator Alcatraz.
The swimsuit was filed by the identical lawmakers who introduced they had been turned away from the ability. They mentioned the detention heart is identical as a “modern-day focus camp.”
“The lights are on 24 hours, so they do not have the power to actually get nice sleep. The meals was actually dangerous,” mentioned Lawyer Josephine Arroyo.
Arroyo spoke out concerning the situations on the facility the place her shopper was not too long ago taken to.
On Wednesday, the state invited all lawmakers to tour the ability over the weekend. The governor spoke about it in an interview with Fox Information, which was posted on the governor’s X account Thursday.
“What we’re not going to do is present them with a platform to advantage sign and have some politicized picture op,” mentioned the governor.
DeSantis mentioned the ability was inbuilt file time and can be reimbursed by the federal authorities. The lawmakers mentioned the middle was constructed with $450 million of Florida taxpayer cash, and mentioned it’s not sanctioned or reimbursable by the federal authorities.
They famous Florida statutes saying lawmakers are entitled to conduct unannounced visits to any state or native detention facility. They mentioned the lawsuit is about defending susceptible folks and defending the rule of legislation.
“Alligator Alcatraz goes to reinforce the power of the federal authorities to do extra deportations of unlawful aliens. That is what folks wish to see. That is what a variety of us voted for. And that is what the rule of legislation requires,” DeSantis mentioned.
The governor’s workplace despatched Information Channel 8 the next assertion addressing the lawsuit:
“Yesterday, the Florida Division of Emergency Administration invited all Florida legislators to tour Alligator Alcatraz this weekend. At this time, 5 Democrat legislators responded by submitting a frivolous lawsuit demanding entry to Alligator Alcatraz. The State is wanting ahead to rapidly dishing out with this dumb lawsuit.”
The lawmakers do plan to attend this weekend’s tour however say they may revisit unannounced.
