TALLAHASSEE, August 23, 2025 — Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has boldly declared his intention to ignore a federal judge’s order to shut down the controversial Alligator Alcatraz detention center in the Everglades. U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams, an Obama appointee, ruled Thursday that the facility violates environmental laws, ordering its operations to cease within 60 days and prohibiting new detainees. DeSantis, undeterred, labeled the decision the work of an “activist judge” and pledged to continue deportations, asserting Florida’s commitment to President Trump’s immigration agenda.
The governor’s defiance came during a Panama City press conference, where he dismissed the ruling as “preordained” and vowed to appeal to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The state filed a notice of appeal hours after the decision, signaling a protracted legal battle. Alligator Alcatraz, built on a remote airstrip, has been a lightning rod for criticism, with environmentalists and the Miccosukee Tribe arguing it endangers the Everglades’ ecosystem. Detainees have also reported poor conditions, including inadequate medical care and limited legal access.
DeSantis doubled down, announcing plans for a second facility, “Deportation Depot,” in Baker County to bolster deportation efforts. Supporters praise his resolve, viewing it as a stand against federal overreach, while critics, including Democratic lawmakers, condemn the move as reckless and inhumane. The clash underscores Florida’s hardline immigration stance, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown in the courts and the national spotlight.
