MIAMI, August 23, 2025 — A federal judge has mandated the closure and dismantling of “Alligator Alcatraz,” the contentious migrant detention center in Florida’s Everglades, within 60 days. U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams issued the ruling on Thursday, citing significant violations of environmental laws, including the National Environmental Policy Act. The facility, constructed rapidly on an airstrip in Big Cypress National Preserve, has drawn fierce criticism for its environmental impact and alleged inhumane conditions.
The court’s 82-page order prohibits new detainees, additional construction, and mandates the removal of fencing, lighting, generators, and waste systems. Environmental groups, alongside the Miccosukee Tribe, hailed the decision as a victory for the Everglades’ delicate ecosystem, home to endangered species like the Florida panther. The lawsuit argued that the facility’s construction bypassed required ecological reviews, threatening wetlands and sacred tribal lands.
Florida officials, led by Governor Ron DeSantis, vowed to appeal, defending the facility as critical to immigration enforcement. Critics, however, labeled it a political stunt, pointing to its rushed development and lack of transparency. The ruling allows current detainees to be transferred to other facilities, with operations winding down as the population decreases.
The decision marks a significant blow to the Trump administration’s immigration agenda, with the facility—once touted as a model for mass deportation—facing an uncertain future. Environmentalists and tribal leaders expressed relief, emphasizing the need to protect the Everglades. As the legal battle continues, the fate of Alligator Alcatraz remains a flashpoint in the debate over immigration and environmental policy.
