Federal Judge Halts Construction at Florida’s Controversial ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ Immigration Center

A federal judge has issued a temporary injunction, ordering an immediate halt to construction at a contentious immigration detention center located deep within the Florida Everglades. The facility, controversially dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz,” faces a stop to further building after environmental groups and the Miccosukee Tribe successfully argued that its development violated critical environmental protection laws.

U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams heard arguments this past Wednesday, where plaintiffs contended that the project threatens environmentally sensitive wetlands vital to protected plant and animal species, potentially reversing billions of dollars in ecological restoration efforts. Environmental advocates, including Eve Samples of Friends of the Everglades, testified that the facility ignored the review processes mandated by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), asserting the public’s right to prevent significant environmental harm.

Expert testimony highlighted severe risks to endangered Florida panthers, with a wildlife ecologist warning of immediate habitat reduction and increased dangers from vehicles and inter-panther conflicts due to human activity and bright artificial lights. The detention center, built by the state of Florida on a Miami-Dade County-owned airstrip, has been operational for over a month and is reportedly designed to hold up to 4,000 detainees.

This environmental lawsuit is one of two significant legal challenges against the facility. A separate lawsuit filed by civil rights groups alleges constitutional violations, including the denial of legal counsel and the cancellation of bond hearings for detainees held without charges. A hearing for this second case is scheduled for August 18th.

Attorneys for federal and state agencies had previously sought to dismiss or transfer the injunction request on jurisdictional grounds. The judge’s decision to halt construction underscores the immediate legal scrutiny facing the controversial facility, even as reports suggest Governor Ron DeSantis’ administration is preparing to build a second immigration detention center in North Florida.

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