The lawmakers contended that this action unlawfully hindered their oversight duties, as reported by The Hill.
According to a joint statement from the lawmakers, as cited by The Associated Press, “The DeSantis Administration’s refusal to let us in wasn’t some bureaucratic misstep. It was a deliberate obstruction meant to hide what’s really happening behind those gates.”
The lawmakers were denied access to the state-operated detention facility on Saturday, which is located deep within the Florida Everglades. In their lawsuit submitted to the state Supreme Court, the plaintiffs assert that state law does not limit their authority to conduct legislative oversight of the facility.
The lawmakers further stated, “There is no statute that permits the Governor to overrule the Legislature’s oversight authority. This lawsuit is about defending the rule of law, protecting vulnerable people inside that facility, and stopping the normalization of executive overreach.”
The group has filed the lawsuit against DeSantis and Kevin Guthrie, the chief of Florida’s emergency management agency, as noted by the AP.
A spokesperson from DeSantis’s office characterized the lawsuit as “dumb” and “frivolous.”
Conversely, critics of the Democrats argue that their portrayals of the facility have been excessive and exaggerated, claiming that they consistently prioritize illegal aliens over American citizens. Republicans also accuse Democrats of inciting violence against Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and agents responsible for locating and apprehending criminal aliens.
Meanwhile, the White House and DeSantis are encouraging Republican-led states to emulate Florida’s “Alligator Alcatraz” — a secluded detention center for illegal immigrants located deep in the Everglades.
Several Republican-led states are reportedly exploring similar facilities, with some already advancing their construction plans.
“While we do not have alligators, we have an abundance of bears. I am not aware of any initiatives for an Alaskan version of Alligator Alcatraz,” representatives from Alaska’s state government informed Fox News’ Laura Ingraham earlier this month.
“Dear DHS: We possess a swamp and a vision. Let us discuss. South Carolina’s alligators are prepared. And they are not particularly fond of paperwork. If I were Governor, we would be introducing Alligator Alcatraz to South Carolina,” South Carolina Republican Representative Nancy Mace tweeted on Tuesday.
Fox News Digital reached out to the offices of 26 Republican governors to inquire if they are contemplating the establishment of their own versions of ‘Alligator Alcatraz.’ A few — from states including Idaho to South Carolina — provided responses detailing plans currently under consideration.
Garrison Douglas, spokesperson for Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, informed the outlet that the Peach State “has been at the forefront of addressing illegal immigration” and recently announced plans to construct “the largest detention facility in the nation.”
“From maintaining the longest continuous National Guard presence at the U.S. southern border of any state to prohibiting sanctuary cities and directing the Georgia Department of Public Safety to strengthen its collaboration with ICE, under Governor Kemp’s guidance, Georgia has been a leader in addressing illegal immigration,” Douglas stated.
Sam Dubke, communications director for Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, informed Fox that Arkansas is currently in the process of constructing “a new 3,000-bed prison in the state.”
“Governor Sanders is collaborating closely with the Trump Administration to deport violent, criminal illegal immigrants, which is why she enacted the Defense Against Criminal Illegals Act earlier this year to impose stringent new penalties on illegal immigrants who commit further crimes while in Arkansas and to enhance cooperation between Arkansas law enforcement and federal agencies.”
