A U.S. federal judge has ordered a temporary halt to further construction at the controversial immigration detention center known as “Alligator Alcatraz,” located in the Florida Everglades.

The decision, issued by District Judge Kathleen Williams on August 7, 2025, blocks any new filling, paving, or infrastructure work for 14 days while the court evaluates the environmental impact of the facility.

The center, built on an isolated airstrip in Miami-Dade County, has drawn fierce criticism from environmental groups and the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida. Plaintiffs argue that the project threatens sensitive wetlands, endangered species, and undermines decades of restoration efforts in the Everglades.

They claim the construction violates the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), which requires federal agencies to assess environmental risks and allow public input before undertaking major projects.

Although the facility continues to operate and detain migrants for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the judge’s order temporarily blocks expansion. The state of Florida, which financed and built the center, insists that NEPA does not apply because the project is state-managed. However, critics argue that its purpose—federal immigration enforcement—makes it subject to federal environmental law.

The detention center is also facing a separate lawsuit over alleged constitutional violations, including denial of legal access and indefinite detention without formal charges. That case is scheduled for hearing on August 18.

Meanwhile, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signaled plans to expand detention infrastructure, with a second facility—“Centro de Detención Norte”—already under contract in northern Florida.

Environmental and civil rights advocates warn that the rapid expansion of such facilities risks compounding legal and humanitarian concerns.

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