Florida Judge Halts ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ Detention Center Construction in Everglades Over Environmental Violations

Florida Judge Halts Construction at ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ for 14 Days Over Environmental Concerns.

---

A Rare Pause in Florida’s Most Controversial Detention Project

A federal judge has ordered an immediate halt to new construction at the migrant detention center in the Florida Everglades known as “Alligator Alcatraz,” handing environmental groups and the Miccosukee Tribe a temporary victory in their fight to protect fragile wetlands and sacred lands.

U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams, appointed by President Barack Obama, issued a 14-day temporary restraining order (TRO) on August 7, 2025. The order stops any new paving, lighting, filling, or structural additions at the facility but allows it to remain operational for detaining migrants.

In her written ruling, Judge Williams said the harm to the defendants from a short pause was “minimal” compared with the irreversible damage that could occur if expansion continued before the court decided whether an environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) was required.

“Meanwhile, if the site is expanded over the next several days, ‘it is difficult to change that course’ if the court eventually decides [National Environmental Policy Act] statements are required,” Judge Williams wrote.

---

The Legal Foundation of the Ruling

The plaintiffs — the Center for Biological Diversity, Friends of the Everglades, and later the Miccosukee Tribe — argue that the project violates both NEPA and the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

• NEPA requires a formal Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) or Environmental Assessment (EA) before a federal agency undertakes or funds a project that could significantly affect the environment.

• ESA obligates federal agencies to ensure their actions don’t jeopardize endangered or threatened species or damage critical habitats.

The government defendants — including the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Florida Division of Emergency Management, and Miami-Dade County — argue that because the site is operated by the state on land acquired from Miami-Dade County, federal environmental laws don’t apply. The plaintiffs counter that federal involvement in housing immigration detainees still triggers NEPA.

---

Testimony That Tipped the Scales

During two days of hearings, environmentalists and tribal leaders described the risks to the surrounding Big Cypress National Preserve and Everglades National Park.

Witness Jessica Namath, testifying for the plaintiffs, said she saw “dozens of trucks carrying what appeared to be fill, as well as a soil compactor” entering the site as recently as August 1 — suggesting construction was still active despite the lawsuit.

The Miccosukee Tribe’s chairman, Talbert Cypress, welcomed the decision:

“The detention facility threatens land that is not only environmentally sensitive but sacred to our people. While this order is temporary, it is an important step in asserting our rights and protecting our homeland.”

---

Political and Government Reactions

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ communications director, Alex Lanfranconi, downplayed the ruling:

“Today’s ruling by an activist judge will have no impact on immigration enforcement in Florida. Alligator Alcatraz will remain operational, continuing to serve as a force multiplier to enhance deportation efforts.”

Tricia McLaughlin, DHS assistant secretary for public affairs, criticized the lawsuit:

“This lawsuit ignores the fact that this land has already been developed for a decade. It is another attempt to prevent the president from fulfilling the American people’s mandate for mass deportations.”

---

How the Facility Came Together So Quickly

Six weeks ago, in response to President Donald Trump’s expanded immigration enforcement directives, Governor DeSantis and Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier used emergency powers to acquire the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport — a remote airstrip surrounded by wetlands.

Within days, prefabricated housing, generators, lighting, and security fencing were trucked in. By early July, detainees were being held on-site. President Trump, visiting on July 1, told reporters:

“We’re going to teach them how to run away from an alligator if they escape prison.”

The state has announced plans to double the center’s capacity to 4,000 detainees by month’s end.

---

Why the Location Raises Red Flags

The site sits between Big Cypress National Preserve and Everglades National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Environmental scientists warn that heavy machinery, artificial lighting, and fill dirt can:

• Disrupt nesting and hunting patterns of the Florida panther and Everglades snail kite

• Cause runoff pollution into wetlands that serve as a natural water filtration system

• Fragment habitat for species already listed as threatened or endangered under the ESA

For more context, see our guide on wetlands protection laws and how they apply to federal and state projects.

---

Other Legal Battles Brewing

This environmental case is just one front. The American Civil Liberties Union and other immigration advocacy groups have also sued over access to legal counsel in detention centers. In court filings, state officials claim that detainee–attorney meetings have been accommodated since July 15 after initial delays.

Kevin Guthrie, director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, has asked to move the environmental case to the Middle District of Florida, noting most of the facility’s infrastructure lies in Collier County.

---

Plain-English Legal Terms

• Temporary Restraining Order (TRO): A short-term legal measure to freeze certain activities until a fuller hearing can be held.

• Preliminary Injunction: A longer pause granted if a judge believes the plaintiffs are likely to win the case and face irreparable harm without the order.

• Jurisdiction: Which court has the legal authority to hear the case — here, a dispute between the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida.

---

Example Scenario: How NEPA Works

If a federal agency wanted to build a highway through a wetland, it would need to study the environmental impact first — including effects on wildlife, water quality, and noise — and give the public a chance to comment. The plaintiffs here argue that the detention center should have followed the same process.

---

FAQs

1. Does this mean Alligator Alcatraz is closing?
No. The ruling halts new construction for 14 days but allows the facility to continue detaining individuals.

2. Why is the Miccosukee Tribe involved?
The site is on land that the Tribe considers culturally and spiritually significant. They argue that construction threatens both heritage and environmental resources.

3. What happens after the 14 days?
Judge Williams will hold further hearings to decide whether to issue a preliminary injunction that could pause construction for months or longer.

4. What laws are at stake?
NEPA, the Endangered Species Act, and potentially tribal land protections under federal law.

---

A Temporary Win with Long-Term Stakes

While this ruling is only a two-week pause, it underscores the growing tension between fast-tracked immigration enforcement and environmental compliance. The outcome of this case could shape how state and federal governments approach large-scale projects in protected areas — not only in Florida but nationwide.

For now, the Everglades gets a brief reprieve, and the legal fight moves to its next round.
Read more in our full explainer on federal environmental review requirements and tribal land protection laws.