Judge Orders Florida 'Alligator Alcatraz' Detention Center To Halt Expansion, Dismantle Infrastructure

A federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction against the operation and expansion of the Alligator Alcatraz immigrant detention center in the Florida Everglades, ordering that no new detainees be admitted and all new construction activities cease. Judge Kathleen Williams ruled that the state of Florida and the Trump administration violated federal environmental laws by failing to conduct required environmental reviews prior to building the facility, which is located in a sensitive ecological area and poses risks to wetlands and endangered species. The order mandates that the state and federal governments dismantle infrastructure such as fencing, lighting, generators, and sewage systems within 60 days as the detainee population is reduced. The ruling is seen as a significant legal setback for the detention center, which is the first state-run facility for federal immigration detainees and has faced multiple lawsuits and complaints about conditions. Environmental groups and the Miccosukee Tribe, whose members rely on the Everglades for water, were plaintiffs in the case, emphasizing the harm to the ecosystem and local communities. The state of Florida is expected to appeal the decision.