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A federal appeals court on Thursday halted a lower court judge’s order to end operations indefinitely at the “Alligator Alcatraz” immigration detention center built in the Florida Everglades.
The panel voted 2-1 to stay the judge’s order pending the outcome of an appeal, allowing the facility to continue holding migrant detainees – for now.
Last month, U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams issued a preliminary injunction blocking Florida from further expanding the detention center and ordering operations to dwindle by the end of October. The judge also ordered the state to transfer detainees to other facilities and to remove equipment and fencing.
The rulings came after a lawsuit brought by Friends of the Everglades, the Center for Biological Diversity and the Miccosukee Tribe accused the state and federal officials of not following federal law requiring an environmental review for the detention center, which the groups argue threatens sensitive wetlands that have protected plants and animals.
FEDERAL JUDGE BLOCKS FLORIDA FROM FURTHER EXPANSION OF ‘ALLIGATOR ALCATRAZ’ IMMIGRATION DETENTION FACILITY
A federal appeals court halted a lower court judge’s order to end operations indefinitely at the “Alligator Alcatraz” immigration detention center. (Alon Skuy/Getty Images)
“This is a heartbreaking blow to America’s Everglades and every living creature there, but the case isn’t even close to over,” Elise Bennett, a senior attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity, said in a statement.
In June, Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration moved quickly to build the facility at a single-runway training airport in the middle of the Everglades to support President Donald Trump’s efforts to detain and deport migrants. DeSantis has said the facility’s location was intended to deter escape plans.
Trump toured the facility in July and suggested it could be used as a model for future facilities across the country to support…
