Judge Orders Closure of 'Alligator Alcatraz' Migrant Detention Center
Federal court bars new detainees at the controversial Florida site, citing environmental damage to the Everglades and mandating a 60-day shutdown.
Environmental concerns halt detention site
A US district court judge has ruled that the migrant detention centre in Florida, known as "Alligator Alcatraz", must cease operations within 60 days. The facility has been accused of causing severe environmental damage to the Florida Everglades — a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The 82-page decision, issued by Judge Kathleen Williams, an Obama appointee, bars the Trump administration from bringing in new detainees and prohibits any further construction or expansion at the site. The judge also ordered the shutdown of generators, sewage systems and other waste facilities essential to its operation.
Legal and ecological impact
Florida, which is co-partnering in the project, has filed an appeal against the ruling. Environmental groups, however, welcomed the injunction, describing it as a landmark victory for the Everglades and American environmental law. Friends of the Everglades director Eve Samples said the decision underscores the need to respect environmental protections at all government levels.
The ruling follows a temporary restraining order earlier this month, which paused construction. Opponents had argued that the centre’s construction and waste systems threatened wetlands restoration efforts that have cost Florida billions.
Controversial centerpiece of immigration policy
Built in a Miami swamp, the centre was billed by the Trump administration as a high-security deterrent for illegal immigration. It was designed to hold up to 3,000 detainees, with Trump praising its potential to house "the most menacing migrants" during a July visit. Critics branded the conditions harsh and warned of significant ecological fallout.
This ruling emphasizes that environmental laws cannot be sidelined, even in contentious policy areas such as immigration enforcement.
This topic was reported by BBC.
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