The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has temporarily halted a lower court’s decision to shut down the Alligator Alcatraz detention facility located in the Florida Everglades. This comes after U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams issued an order last month to begin closing the site within 60 days, citing environmental concerns raised by environmental groups and the Miccosukee Tribe. Her order required transferring inmates and dismantling infrastructure such as lighting, fencing, and generators.
Judge Williams’ ruling was based on claims that the facility harms the Everglades ecosystem through excessive noise, light, and other pollutants. The site, previously an airport, was repurposed into a detention center under the Trump administration with backing from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. Critics argued it disrupted wildlife and traditional activities due to light and noise pollution, but the appeals court questioned the logic, noting the area had already been heavily developed.
In a 2-1 decision, the appeals court granted the federal government’s request to stay the ruling and pause the case. The panel pointed out that the site had significant prior activity, including nearly 28,000 flights in six months, and already operated with constant lighting and noise. Therefore, they argued, it wasn’t a pristine area newly affected by detention operations.
The Department of Homeland Security responded strongly, claiming the lawsuit was more about obstructing immigration enforcement than protecting the environment. DHS labeled the legal challenge a tactic by “open borders activists” to stop the removal of criminal aliens from U.S. communities.
Governor DeSantis praised the appeals court decision, criticizing Judge Williams as overreaching and politically motivated. He emphasized that Florida had every right to use its property for federal immigration purposes without needing an environmental review.
As the legal process continues, the case remains on hold, and operations at Alligator Alcatraz will proceed.
