A federal judge has ordered the shutdown of President Donald Trump’s immigration detention facility in Florida, known as “Alligator Alcatraz,” citing severe environmental damage to the Florida Everglades. The decision marks a significant setback for Trump’s immigration agenda, which has relied heavily on expanding detention capacity across the United States.
Environmental Concerns in the Everglades
The ruling, issued Thursday by U.S. District Court Judge Kathleen Williams, gives the administration 60 days to wind down operations at the facility. Judge Williams, an appointee of former President Barack Obama, said the center was causing “irreparable harm” to the Everglades, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is home to endangered species.
The court prohibited bringing in new detainees or expanding the facility and ordered the shutdown of generators, sewage, and waste systems that support operations. Williams referenced a decades-old precedent in rejecting development that threatened the Everglades, noting that conservation has long been a bipartisan priority in Florida.
“Since that time, every Florida governor, every Florida senator, and countless local and national political figures, including presidents, have publicly pledged their unequivocal support for the restoration, conservation, and protection of the Everglades,” Williams wrote in her decision.
A Blow to Trump’s Immigration Agenda
“Alligator Alcatraz” was constructed in the middle of a Miami swamp and designed to hold up to 3,000 detainees. The facility, which Trump once praised as a model for future centers, had already drawn lawsuits and protests from environmental groups and local residents.
The Trump administration has touted the facility as central to its crackdown on illegal immigration, with the president describing it as capable of housing “the most menacing migrants, some of the most vicious people on the planet.” But critics argue the site’s location threatened years of costly restoration work in the Everglades, which has already required billions in state and federal investment.
Environmental Groups Celebrate the Decision
The ruling came in response to a lawsuit filed by several environmental organizations, who said the detention center posed unacceptable risks to wetlands and endangered species.
“This is a landmark victory for the Everglades and countless Americans who believe this imperiled wilderness should be protected, not exploited,” said Eve Samples, executive director of Friends of the Everglades.
“It sends a clear message that environmental laws must be respected by leaders at the highest levels of our government — and there are consequences for ignoring them.”
Florida Pushes Back
The state of Florida, which partnered with the Trump administration on the project, has already filed an appeal. Governor Ron DeSantis has defended the facility, calling it a necessary tool for immigration enforcement, despite concerns about its impact on the Everglades ecosystem.
The ruling is a preliminary injunction, meaning the facility’s operations are temporarily halted while the lawsuit proceeds. Legal analysts note that while appeals may delay implementation, the injunction signals serious judicial concern about environmental damage.
Wider Implications
The closure could ripple beyond Florida, complicating Trump’s broader immigration enforcement strategy. The administration has recently announced plans for other large-scale detention facilities, including the “Cornhusker Clink” in Nebraska and “Speedway Slammer” in Indian. Legal experts say the Florida ruling may embolden further challenges to similar projects.
The Everglades, often referred to as the “River of Grass,” is a unique wetland ecosystem that supports rare wildlife such as the Florida panther, manatees, and numerous bird species. Environmental groups have long argued that industrial development threatens its fragile balance.
For now, “Alligator Alcatraz” faces an uncertain future as the courts weigh the environmental costs against federal immigration policy priorities.