Federal Judge Orders Closure of Florida Alligator Alcatraz Immigration Facility

A federal judge ordered the closure of the controversial immigration detention facility known as "Alligator Alcatraz" within 60 days, citing severe environmental damage to the Florida Everglades. The ruling, issued by U.S. District Court Judge Kathleen Williams, also prohibited new detainees from being brought to the facility and mandated the removal of all construction materials. Environmental groups and the Miccosukee Tribe, who filed the lawsuit, praised the decision as a landmark victory for the Everglades and its endangered species, emphasizing the importance of respecting environmental laws. The detention center, located in Big Cypress National Preserve, has faced criticism for inhumane conditions and its impact on sacred tribal lands. Florida officials and the Trump administration had supported the facility as part of a broader immigration enforcement agenda, but the court ruling halted further construction and expansion. This decision reflects ongoing tensions between state-led immigration initiatives and environmental and indigenous rights protections.