Federal Appeals Court Allows Florida Alligator Alcatraz Detention Center to Remain Open

A federal appeals court has allowed Florida's controversial migrant detention center, known as "Alligator Alcatraz," to remain open and resume construction, overturning a lower court order that sought to shut it down due to environmental concerns. The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in a 2-1 decision that the Trump administration and Florida officials can continue operating the facility while a legal battle with environmental groups proceeds. These groups argue the detention center threatens the sensitive Everglades ecosystem and lacked required environmental impact assessments. The court found that the project, funded by Florida, did not require federal environmental review since no federal funds were used for construction. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and the Department of Homeland Security have supported the facility, emphasizing its role in detaining migrants, with President Trump previously visiting and endorsing the harsh conditions. The detention center, built rapidly on an abandoned airfield in the Everglades, can house thousands of detainees and has so far held about 900 migrants.