Appeals Court Blocks Closure of Florida's Alligator Alcatraz Detention Center

A federal appeals court has temporarily blocked a lower court judge's order to shut down Alligator Alcatraz, a controversial immigration detention center in the Florida Everglades. The center, hastily built on state-owned land, had been ordered closed due to environmental concerns and lack of an environmental impact statement, but the appeals court ruled the National Environmental Policy Act did not apply since Florida fully funded and operated the facility. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis celebrated the ruling, calling the previous judge's decision an impediment to immigration enforcement and affirming that the detention center remains open for business. Detainees at Alligator Alcatraz, many without criminal records despite earlier statements, continue to be held and deported from the site. The appeals court's stay allows operations to continue while the legal battle proceeds, underscoring Florida's aggressive stance on immigration enforcement. This development highlights ongoing tensions between state immigration policies and federal environmental regulations.