Key Points:
- Judge blocks expansion of “Alligator Alcatraz” over environmental violations.
- Ruling backs tribes and activists protecting endangered Everglades species.
- Florida plans appeal, eyes new detention site amid national policy debate.
A federal judge in Miami has ordered an immediate halt to all construction and expansion at the controversial immigration detention facility known as “Alligator Alcatraz,” located in the Florida Everglades. The injunction blocks the transfer of new detainees into the center and prohibits further development such as paving, tent extensions, or excavation work.
The ruling also requires the removal of temporary infrastructure within 60 days, including generators, waste systems, floodlights, and fencing, unless those installations are needed for safety or environmental protection. In her decision, Judge Kathleen Williams stressed that the order enforces longstanding promises made by federal and state leaders to restore and safeguard the Everglades.
The court’s move was widely viewed as a legal victory for environmental groups and the Miccosukee Tribe, who have long argued that the facility violates environmental laws and endangers protected species native to the area.
Environmental and Legal Backdrop
“Alligator Alcatraz” was constructed rapidly on a former airstrip inside Big Cypress National Preserve and opened in July 2025. Designed to hold up to 5,000 detainees, the facility came with an estimated annual operating cost of $450 million. Critics, however, said it bypassed key environmental reviews and placed fragile wetlands, the endangered Florida panther, and other vulnerable species at risk.
In her order, Judge Williams pointed out that state officials failed to adequately justify their choice of location or consider less ecologically damaging alternatives. She noted that because both state and federal agencies were involved in the project, federal environmental protection laws applied.
The court also emphasized that the rapid construction and operation of the center ignored proper permitting processes. For environmental advocates, the ruling underscored the importance of upholding ecological protections even during politically charged immigration debates.
Political Fallout and State Response
The injunction marked a significant setback to both state and federal officials who had promoted “Alligator Alcatraz” as a centerpiece of tougher immigration enforcement. President Trump had personally visited the site earlier this summer, hailing it as a model for future detention centers. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis also positioned the facility as part of his state’s partnership with federal immigration efforts.
In response to the ruling, state officials signaled plans to appeal and criticized the decision as judicial overreach. They vowed to continue supporting federal immigration strategies and to push forward with alternative facilities.
Meanwhile, environmental groups and the Miccosukee Tribe celebrated the decision as a landmark victory. Advocacy leaders said the ruling sends a clear message that no political project can sidestep environmental law. Tribal representatives added that it reinforced their longstanding commitment to protecting both the Everglades and their cultural sovereignty.
Despite the setback, Florida has already announced plans to repurpose a shuttered prison in North Florida as a second large-scale immigration detention site, dubbed the “Deportation Depot.” That facility is expected to house more than 1,300 detainees and will be staffed by National Guard members, with costs projected in the millions.
The ruling now raises broader national questions about how immigration enforcement facilities are planned, built, and regulated—particularly when environmental protections collide with political agendas.
