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Newsweek
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Man With Green Card for 23 Years in Alligator Alcatraz Has Hearing Canceled
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A Cuban immigrant detained and held in Florida's "Alligator Alcatraz" facility after about 25 years of legal U.S. status had his court hearing canceled last minute and without provided cause, according to his attorney. Why It Matters The abrupt cancellation of a scheduled immigration court hearing on July 23 for 31-year-old Gonzalo Almanza, a green card holder and U.S. permanent resident since 2000, ties to debate over due process, detainee treatment, and legal access at the recently opened immigration detention center in Florida's Everglades region. Almanza's case echoes broader legal struggles facing migrants and permanent residents as lawyers and civil rights groups challenge the facility's operations in court, arguing detainees are denied basic rights and access to counsel. No record currently exists for Almanza within the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) database. What To Know Almanza, who arrived in the United States at the age of 6, has been detained at the Alligator Alcatraz facility since July 11. His wife, Aschly Valdez, said Almanza was taken into custody by immigration authorities because of a past racketeering charge, despite ongoing efforts to fulfill legal obligations and restitution. "Yes, Gonzalo made a bad decision, but he's paying his restitution, he's doing everything right," Valdez said, according to NBC Miami. "It's extremely stressful, worrisome because we don't hear from him." Protesters gather to demand the closure of the immigrant detention center known as "Alligator Alcatraz" at the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport in Ochopee, Florida, on July 22, 2025. Protesters gather to demand the closure of the immigrant detention center known as "Alligator Alcatraz" at the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport in Ochopee, Florida, on July 22, 2025. CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images "My son is asking for his dad every single day. You know it's heartbreaking," Valdez added. The couple's son was born in 2018. Almanza's immigration attorney, Anna Weiser of firm Smith & Eulo, obtained a court date for July 23, offering hope he might be granted bond. However, the hearing was canceled without notice, with a court clerk informing Weiser that the court had "no jurisdiction" in the matter—a pattern reportedly affecting other detainees from the same facility, according to NBC Miami. "She told me the hearing is not moving forward; in fact there is no hearing," Weiser said. Weiser, who has four different clients at the Alligator Alcatraz facility, told Newsweek on Tuesday via phone that there have been no new developments yet in Almanza's case. "I haven't been able to visit him ... The only way he talks to me is through this non-confidential phone line, which every two minutes or so there's a system saying that you're being recorded and monitored, so we can't really discuss the case or anything like that," she said. "I'm not able to see him for him to review documents for court, for him to sign documents. "So, this is unprecedented [to have] no access to my client, period. And he's still there." She also said that Almanza's past racketeering charge has long been "fully resolved" and that he hasn't had any further legal issues or parole violations. "He paid restitution," she said. "He was complying fully with probation. He took the plea deal, and he was just immediately transported to the Alligator Alcatraz detention facility and placed into custody there." Weiser said Almanza was actually meeting with his probation officer as part of a routine check-in visit when he was detained. "He was doing everything in terms of probation," Weiser said. "He was just in the middle of his probation visit and the ICE officers came picked him up, no notice, no opportunity to say goodbye to the family or anything. And then he's been directly transported to Alligator." Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, during a Friday press conference held at Alligator Alcatraz, was asked about attorneys having access to their clients inside the facility that was rapidly constructed to house up to 400 migrants, green card holders, and non-citizens pending potential deportation. Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie was instructed by DeSantis to answer the question, stating, "We should have our first set of onsite legal representation no later than Monday." But Weiser told Newsweek that days later, she still has not received any response from the state when it comes to physically seeing Almanza. Civil rights lawyers have filed lawsuits against federal and state authorities, alleging that the facility's detainees—including lawful residents—are being held without charges, denied attorney access, and coerced into signing deportation orders. Reports indicate that more than 100 people have already been deported in this manner. State and federal officials claim improvements have been made following lawsuits, including videoconference facilities and allowing some in-person legal meetings. However, reports from legal representatives and detainees indicate ongoing barriers to routine access and hearings. Almanza and dozens of others have criticized the reported conditions inside the facility, describing them as inhumane and isolating, while his family reports limited communication with him. "I have grown men calling me and crying, it's horrific really," Weiser said. "They call me at I do take the call a lot of the time. I can't even describe [the conditions] to you, like pure torture. Like, it's just designed to wear them out." She said her clients have told her of roof leaks, constantly overflowing toilets, lights being on at all times of day, detained individuals being placed in small cages with grown adults. Cameras are installed everywhere, even directly near the toilet where "they are watched every second." What People Are Saying Eunice Cho, an attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation, referred to an attempted temporary restraining order against Alligator Alcatraz as an "emergency situation," telling the Associated Press: "Officers at 'Alligator Alcatraz' are going around trying to force people to sign deportation orders without the ability to speak to counsel." Bacardi Jackson, executive director of the ACLU of Florida, in a statement: "What's happening here is not just a policy failure, it's a moral one. The state has hastily erected a costly and deadly shadow prison in the middle of the Everglades during hurricane season to warehouse human beings—stripping them of due process and dignity, cutting them off from their families and legal counsel, intentionally putting their lives in danger, and leaving them to suffer in silence. This is how rights are erased." What Happens Next U.S. District Judge Rodolfo Ruiz has scheduled an in-person hearing for August 18, seeking more information on due process, attorney access, and the jurisdictional authority pertaining to the detentions. The hearing will examine access to counsel, canceled bond hearings, and the legal status of detainees at Alligator Alcatraz. The outcomes could set legal precedents for immigrant detention policies nationwide.
Daily Mail
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
I'm 79 and have travelled to every country in the world - this is the country I'll never get tired of visiting
A 79-year-old woman who has spent six decades visiting every country in the world has revealed her three favourite destinations. Luisa Yu, from the Philippines, completed her extraordinary challenge of visiting all 193 countries on November 2023 after ticking off her final nation of Serbia. Her journey began sixty years ago as a young girl in Leyte, where her growing curiosity for Hollywood and American Western shows on TV inspired her to travel to the United States. She later emigrated to the US in her 20s as an exchange student, which gave her a golden opportunity to tap into her passion for cultural exploration. For many years, she limited her travels to America, but after receiving her Green Card, she finally was able to explore the wider world. Determined to travel as much as possible, Yu worked three jobs, held a real estate licence and eventually secured a job as a travel agent, which further opened doors for international travel. Since then, Yu has hiked the Himalayas, explored the plains of Africa, and is still marvelling at the wonders of the world with recent trips to North Caucasus and the Kalash Festival in Pakistan. After ticking off her last country of Serbia in 2023, Yu has had much time to reflect on standout trips from her global adventures. Speaking to NBC Miami in 2023, though she finds it difficult to pick an ultimate favourite, she declared no nation tops her home country, the Philippines. However, she also ranked 'beautiful' Italy highly, and gushed over the diverse landscape in Thailand, adding to her top three. Yu is to celebrate her 80th birthday later this year, and is thrilled to to reign in the landmark occasion after accomplishing her remarkable feat. She added: 'I did fulfil my dream. I was able to buy a house on my own. I was able to travel on my own. I'm just happy. I want to thank all the people that have been so nice and kind to me.' It comes after a man who has visited every country in the world has shared the ones he'd never go back to... and the hidden gems that he believes are overlooked. Luca Pferdmenges, 23, who is originally from Germany, started traveling when he was just 14 years old. An avid juggler, he would jet off to various cities in Europe to perform at juggling conventions, and along the way, he developed a fierce passion for exploring the globe. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020 and his juggling career came to a halt, he decided that once the world opened back up, he was going to start traveling full-time. He then made it his goal to visit every country on the planet, and just five years later, he's now spent time in all 195 of them. Now, he has broken down which countries are 'overrated' and which are hidden gems exclusively with the Daily Mail. He admitted that he wouldn't recommend 'small island destinations' that don't offer much except nice beaches and resorts because they are 'boring' to him. He also said he was not a fan of Egypt because he felt like he was 'constantly getting hassled' when he was there.
Black America Web
09-07-2025
- Black America Web
‘Alligator Alcatraz' Detainees Reveal Cruel Prison Conditions, Social Media Rips Facility
For the first time, detainees at the infamous, makeshift immigration detention facility that's earned the dubious nickname 'Alligator Alcatraz' are talking about their experiences inside the facility. 'Leamsy Izquierdo, also known as Leamsy La Figura, a self-described Cuban urban artist, was arrested for a violent incident and has been at the detention center out in the Everglades since Friday,' NBC Miami reports. 'There is no water here to bathe,' he told Telemundo 51, adding that he'd not showered in four days. Izquierdo noted that he believes that there are at least 400 people in the Florida facility. 'They give you food only once a day, food that even has worms in it,' Izquierdo said. Izquierdo said that the lights stay on all day and night and the mosquitoes are 'the size of elephants.' Detainees are not allowed to go outside and it's freezing inside the tents, Izquierdo explained. NBC Miami notes that Izquierdo was arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and battery after a violent disagreement with a tow company worker, who was trying to repossess a jet ski. NBC Miami reached out to ICE, who have been arresting and throwing people into 'Alligator Alcatraz,' but they claimed they can't talk about detainees or the conditions they live in at their facilities. 'Alligator Alcatraz' Detainees Reveal Cruel Prison Conditions, Social Media Rips Facility was originally published on 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20.
The Independent
04-06-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
Weatherman warns experts can no longer predict hurricanes because of DOGE's ‘sledgehammer attack' on research
A Florida weatherman delivered a somber monologue during a live broadcast to warn Americans that accurate hurricane predictions may no longer be possible due to the Department of Government Efficiency. John Morales, a veteran meteorologist with NBC Miami, said that traditionally, he would be able to warn or reassure his viewers about the trajectory of a powerful storm. Now, he says this would no longer be the case. 'I am here to tell you that I am not sure I can do that this year,' he said before taking a long pause. Earlier in the segment, Morales showed an archival news clip of him covering Hurricane Dorian, a Category 5 storm that tore through the Bahamas in 2019. 'Remember that? Lots of people in Florida were concerned, the hurricane was heading here,' he said during his Tuesday broadcast, after showing the clip. The storm did not significantly impact the Sunshine State, as Morales predicted. He then explained that, due to 'the cuts, the gutting, the sledgehammer attack on science in general,' he could not guarantee accurate forecasting for viewers. Morales continued to explain how changes to leadership in science had had a 'multigenerational impact on science in this country.' 'But specifically, let's talk about the federal government cuts to the National Weather Service and to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,' he said, before explaining that central and south Florida NWS offices are currently '20 to 40 percent understaffed.' He added that there had been a 20 percent reduction in weather balloon monitoring in the U.S, leading to the quality of the forecasting to be 'degraded.' Morales reiterated his concerns in an opinion piece for NBC Miami's website. Staffing shortages 'long stretches of impending severe weather — like a hurricane — could lead to mistakes by tired skeleton crews that can only work so many back-to-back shifts,' he wrote. As head of the DOGE, Elon Musk, promised to cut $1 trillion from the federal budget by September 30 by ending "waste, fraud, and abuse" — a downgrade from his $2 trillion promise on the campaign trail. He claimed that 'most of the work' required to make this happen would be done within 130 days. 'NOAA leadership is taking steps to address those who took a voluntary early retirement option. NWS continues to conduct short-term Temporary Duty assignments (TDYs), and is in the process of conducting a series of Reassignment Opportunity Notices (RONs) to fill roles at NWS field locations with the greatest operational need.' 'Additionally, a targeted number of permanent, mission-critical field positions will soon be advertised under an exception to the Department-wide hiring freeze to further stabilize frontline operations,' the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration told The Independent in a statement.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Yahoo
Miami Man Went Out for a Night of Fun — Then Woke Up Drugged, Robbed, and Alone
A Miami man is claiming he was robbed of thousands of dollars by a woman he met while out for a night of fun in the city's Brickell neighborhood, according to reporting by NBC Miami. The 31-year-old man, who requested anonymity, told the outlet that he met the woman, who claimed to be a tourist, at a bar on May 2. The pair went to another bar in Wynwood before returning to the man's home to have drinks. But when he woke up the next afternoon alone, with no memory of what had happened after the drinks, he realized he had been robbed of $3,000 in cash and his Rolex watch. 'It's a scary feeling because it can really happen to anybody,' he told NBC Miami. 'To be made so vulnerable and have somebody touching your unconscious body and rummaging through your stuff — it's a very eerie feeling.' Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. 'You were planning that the whole night,' he added. 'Since you saw me. That's just evil.' Miami police did not directly address the allegations in the NBC article, but forwarded PEOPLE police reports of similar recent arrests — which a spokesperson described as 'bad date' crimes — involving women allegedly targeting men. Authorities told NBC Miami that the type of crime has become more prevalent in recent months. Read the original article on People
