Filed Date: Aug. 22, 2025
Case Ongoing
Clearinghouse coding complete
"Alligator Alcatraz" is the colloquial name for a state-run immigration detention facility in the Big Cyprus National Preserve in Florida. Visitors of the facility allege that the people detained there are experiencing unprecedented civil and human rights challenges not typically faced in immigration detention.
The plaintiff-petitioner in this case is an anonymous Florida resident and immigrant currently being detained in Alligator Alcatraz. The plaintiff alleges that state agencies do not have the authority to hold immigration detainees during the removal process and that private contractors, such as the ones in Alligator Alcatraz, cannot be deputized to carry out immigration detention. See 8 U.S.C. § 1357(g). Therefore, the plaintiff asserts that his detention violates federal law, and he seeks a writ of habeas corpus ordering his relief.
Represented by lawyers from the ACLU of Florida, the ACLU National, the Community Justice Project, and the National Immigrant Justice Center, the plaintiff filed this suit in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida on August 22, 2025. Judge John L. Badalamenti and Magistrate Judge Kyle C. Dudek were assigned to this case.
Also on August 22, 2025, the plaintiff moved to certify a class for injunctive relief defined as "all individuals who are, or will be detained, at 'Alligator Alcatraz.'" Additionally, the plaintiff requested the court consider the habeas petition on a class-wide basis. Following the motion for class certification, the plaintiff moved for a preliminary injunction barring the government from detaining class members at the facility.
This case is ongoing.
Summary Authors
Jinan Abufarha (12/2/2025)
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71181573/parties/ma-v-guthrie-collier-county/
Amdur, Spencer Elijah (Florida)
Cho, Eunice H. (Florida)
Feldman, Mark (Florida)
Fleming, Mark (Florida)
DeSousa, Jeffrey Paul (Florida)
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71181573/ma-v-guthrie-collier-county/
Last updated April 20, 2026, 3:33 a.m.
State / Territory:
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government
Trump Administration 2.0: Litigation and Investigations Involving the Government
Key Dates
Filing Date: Aug. 22, 2025
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
The plaintiff is a Florida resident and an immigrant currently being detained at "Alligator Alcatraz."
Attorney Organizations:
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: Yes
Class Action Outcome: Pending
Defendants
State
Chief Financial Officer of the Florida Department of Financial Services
Director of the Florida Highway Patrol
Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation, Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco
Florida Department of Corrections
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
Florida Division of Emergency Management
Florida National Guard
Florida State Guard
Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission
Secretary of the Florida Lottery
Warden of “Alligator Alcatraz”
Defendant Type(s):
Facility Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Habeas Corpus, 28 U.S.C. §§ 2241-2253; 2254; 2255
Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), 8 U.S.C. §§ 1101 et seq.
Constitutional Clause(s):
Other Dockets:
Middle District of Florida 2:25-cv-00765
Special Case Type(s):
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Relief Granted:
Source of Relief:
Issues
Immigration/Border:
Case Summary of M.A. v. Guthrie (Collier County), Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/47054/ (last updated 12/2/2025).