A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order on Thursday to stop further construction on a migrant detention facility in Florida, nicknamed “Alligator Alcatraz.”

The facility, located in the Everglades region, was designed to house up to 1,000 detainees using repurposed shipping containers.

The ruling came from U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams, who issued the 14-day restraining order after hearing arguments that the project may be in violation of environmental regulations.

The order halts construction activities, including excavation, paving, lighting installation, and fencing.

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Judge Williams clarified that the temporary restraining order does not apply to individuals already being held at the facility or those scheduled to be detained there.

The ruling applies only to ongoing and planned construction work.

The lawsuit against the project was brought by environmental groups and the Miccosukee Tribe.

They allege the facility threatens environmentally sensitive wetlands, which are home to federally protected plants and animals.

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The complaint also argues that the detention center could jeopardize decades of federally funded restoration efforts in the Everglades ecosystem.

During the hearing, Judge Williams asked Florida attorney Jesse Panuccio whether the state would voluntarily pause construction while the legal proceedings continue.

Panuccio responded that he could not commit to halting the project without a court order. Williams noted that the portions of the facility already built were likely to remain in place.

Supporters of the project, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, have defended the detention facility as a necessary step to strengthen immigration enforcement in the state.

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DeSantis remains holding his ground. He Posted this to X:

The governor’s office has maintained that the site will help federal and state authorities detain illegal aliens who have committed additional crimes after crossing into the United States.

Governor DeSantis and other immigration policy advocates argue that the existing federal infrastructure for housing illegal immigrants is insufficient, and state-level action is necessary to reduce pressure on local communities and law enforcement.

However, multiple legal and civil rights challenges have been filed against the facility in recent weeks.

In a separate lawsuit, civil rights groups claim the detention site violates the rights of those being held.

Among the allegations are that detainees are being denied access to legal counsel, being held without charges, and subjected to poor living conditions.

The facility has drawn criticism from former employees and advocacy groups, who claim detainees have reported substandard conditions.

Allegations include overcrowding, inadequate sanitation, extreme heat due to lack of ventilation or air conditioning, and incidents of spoiled food.

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Image Credit: YouTube Screenshot - U.S. Department of Homeland Security
YouTube Screenshot - U.S. Department of Homeland Security

This legal challenge is the latest in a string of lawsuits targeting immigration enforcement policies under President Donald Trump’s administration.

Several federal judges across the country have issued injunctions blocking components of the administration’s broader immigration agenda, but the facility in question has garnered particular attention due to its location and the controversial methods used in its construction.

The court will revisit the case after the 14-day temporary order expires, at which point Judge Williams may consider issuing a preliminary injunction if she determines the legal arguments warrant a longer-term construction halt.

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