Federal Judge Temporarily Halts Construction Of ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ Detention Center

Last Updated:August 08, 2025, 03:15 IST

Judge Williams, an appointee of former President Barack Obama, announced the order in court.

Environmental experts have warned that additional construction could irreversibly damage the surrounding ecosystem (Image: X/Benonwine)

A federal judge has issued a temporary order halting further construction of “Alligator Alcatraz," a controversial immigration detention center being built in the Florida Everglades. The decision, handed down on Thursday by US District Judge Kathleen M. Williams, temporarily pauses all new construction activity for at least 14 days, according to the Associated Press.

Judge Williams, an appointee of former President Barack Obama, announced the order in court and stated that a written ruling would be issued later in the day. While the facility is allowed to continue operating in its current form and can still hold immigration detainees, the order blocks any ongoing development on the site.

The temporary restraining order specifically states that “new construction, including filling, paving, installation of new infrastructure, and installation of new lighting, must stop immediately."

The legal battle over the detention center began when several environmental groups filed a lawsuit against both federal and state officials, claiming that construction at the site violates key environmental protections. The plaintiffs requested a temporary restraining order “to prevent further irreparable harm to Plaintiffs and the fragile area where Defendants are building this detention center."

Despite growing concerns from environmental advocates, the Trump administration has defended the project, arguing that the plaintiffs have not provided concrete evidence that the detention center would significantly harm wildlife or impede public enjoyment of the natural environment.

However, according to a Miami Herald report, multiple environmental experts have warned that additional construction could irreversibly damage the surrounding ecosystem, disrupt native wildlife habitats, and set a dangerous precedent for development in protected wetland regions. The plaintiffs intend to continue pursuing the broader lawsuit, which was initially filed on June 27.

Eve Samples, executive director at Friends of the Everglades, voiced her support for the ruling in an interview with the Palm Beach Post. “We look forward to advancing our ultimate goal of protecting the unique and imperiled Everglades ecosystem from further damage caused by this mass detention facility," she said.

The facility, often dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz," is located on a decommissioned airstrip west of Miami. It gets its nickname from the swampland that surrounds it, an area inhabited by native alligators, crocodiles, pythons, and other sensitive species.

Location :

New York, United States of America (USA)

First Published:

August 08, 2025, 03:15 IST

News world Federal Judge Temporarily Halts Construction Of ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ Detention Center

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