Appeals Court Pauses Closure of “Alligator Alcatraz”
The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has temporarily halted a lower court’s orderto close the “Alligator Alcatraz” detention center in the Florida Everglades.
Last month, U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams had ordered the facility shut down within 60 days, citing environmental concerns and requiring that detainees be moved elsewhere.
Environmental Lawsuit Sparks Controversy
The lawsuit was filed by environmental groups and the Miccosukee Tribe, who argued that the facility harms the Everglades through noise, light, and pollution.
Judge Williams agreed, pointing to “light pollution affecting members’ ability to observe the night skies” and “noise pollution impacting members’ ability to observe and interact with wildlife.”
However, the appeals court noted the site was already a busy airport with “28,000 landings and takeoffs” and lights operating “24/7” before its conversion into a detention center.
Government and DeSantis Push Back
The Department of Homeland Securitycriticized the lawsuit, saying:
“It has and will always be about open borders activists and judges trying to keep law enforcement from removing dangerous criminal aliens from our communities.” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantispraised the appeals court decision, saying, “Alligator Alcatraz is, in fact, like we always said, open for business.”
Case on Hold as Legal Battle Continues
Judge Williams, an Obama appointee, had also halted construction at the site due to the lack of a formal environmental impact statement. But the appeals court’s 2-1 ruling stays both the injunction and the case itself during the appeal. DeSantis framed the fight as part of a broader immigration enforcement mission: “The mission continues… the court has affirmed that we were right.”
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