A federal judge has temporarily blocked construction at Florida’s “Alligator Alcatraz” migrant detention center because the state did not complete an environmental review first.
The state must stop installing any more filling, lighting, paving, fencing or other infrastructure for 14 days, Judge Kathleen M. Williams ruled Thursday.
In the meantime, a hearing in a case brought by environmentalists against the center’s construction for fear it will cause serious harm to surrounding wetlands and endangered species, will be held.
According to federal law, federal agencies should have examined how the facility’s construction would impact the environment and identified ways to minimize the impact, according to the environmental groups and the Miccosukee Tribe, who sued federal and state authorities.
The detention center, which is currently housing immigrants, is located in the middle of the Everglades — which was part of the appeal for the Trump administration.
“The only way out is a one-way flight. It is isolated and surrounded by dangerous wildlife and unforgiving terrain,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in late June.
During the construction pause the facility can still operate and hold detainees.
Alex Lanfranconi, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ communications director, called Williams an “activist judge” after the ruling.
“Alligator Alcatraz will remain operational, continuing to serve as a force multiplier to enhance deportation efforts,” he told The New York Times.
The Independent has reached out to DeSantis’ office for comment.
DeSantis was behind “Alligator Alcatraz,” and supports President Donald Trump’s mass deportation efforts.
In late June, DeSantis told reporters the facility has “zero impact” on the Everglades, per NBC6 South Florida.
Paul J. Schwiep, the lead lawyer for the lawsuit’s plaintiffs, told The NYT of the judge’s order, “It’s a temporary but appropriate pause on any further destruction of a sensitive area, to allow the parties to present their evidence and arguments on the preliminary injunction request.”
The facility opened on July 1 after it was built in just eight days on a remote airstrip. It is expected to be able to hold up to 5,000 detainees, a Department of Homeland Security official previously told CNN.
There is another lawsuit civil rights groups have brought against the state and federal governments, claiming detainees’ constitutional rights are being violated as they can’t meet with lawyers, are being held without charges and a federal immigration court has canceled bond hearings.
