Donald Trump’s high-profile detention center, dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz,” has hit an unexpected roadblock.
A federal judge has ordered the facility to stop taking in new migrants and to be dismantled within 60 days—a ruling that marks a major setback for both the former president and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
The Court Steps In
U.S. District Judge Kathleen Mary Williams ruled that the population at the Everglades facility must decline over the next two months as detainees are transferred elsewhere.
Once that happens, fencing, lighting, and generators must be removed.
The decision comes after Native American tribes and environmental groups raised concerns over the center’s impact on sacred lands and sensitive wetlands.
Opened in July, the detention center was hailed by the White House as a centerpiece of the administration’s immigration enforcement strategy.
Trump himself toured the facility with DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and Governor DeSantis, calling it “incredible” and praising its remote, secure location in the middle of the Florida Everglades.
Environmental and Tribal Concerns
The Miccosukee Tribe and environmental organizations brought the lawsuit, arguing that further construction and operations should be paused until officials comply with environmental laws.
Their case highlights risks to protected plants, animals, and wetlands, warning that the facility could undo billions of dollars in restoration work.
Tribe Chairman Talbert Cypress welcomed the ruling, emphasizing that this fight over sacred lands is ongoing.
“We will continue to ensure the government respects legal requirements for environmental review,” he said.
Environmental group leader Eve Samples added, “It sends a clear message that environmental laws must be respected by leaders at the highest levels.”
DeSantis Pushes Back
Despite the court order, Florida officials remain defiant.
Governor DeSantis’ spokesperson, Alex Lanfranconi, stated, “The deportations will continue until morale improves,” signaling the state’s intent to maintain aggressive immigration enforcement.
Trump’s Praise and Plans
When Trump toured the facility in July, he lauded it as a model for future detention centers.
“It is not a place I want to go hiking any time soon,” he said.
He envisioned similar centers in other states and suggested the Florida site could become a permanent fixture.
Trump emphasized the facility’s security, noting that the swampy location and limited exits made deportation the only realistic outcome for detainees.
The detention center, built in just seven days at a lightly used Everglades airstrip, currently houses several hundred migrants but was designed to hold up to 3,000 in temporary tents and trailers.
The $450 million-per-year project sits on land seized from Miami-Dade County and is surrounded by snakes, alligators, and hurricane-prone terrain.
Legal Battles and Trump’s Criticism of Judges
This ruling is part of a broader pattern of judicial pushback against Trump’s immigration policies.
Trump has repeatedly criticized judges, including Judge James Boasberg, for blocking deportations.
He has called these judges “radical” and accused them of trying to usurp presidential power.
Despite a rebuke from Chief Justice John Roberts, Trump continues to frame judicial decisions as obstacles to national security and his agenda.
What the Order Allows
The preliminary injunction doesn’t ban maintenance or safety improvements.
Judge Williams noted that state officials failed to adequately justify placing the facility in the Everglades, citing a lack of consideration for alternative locations.
The ruling also clarifies that no new detainees outside of those already held can be brought in.
A Facility in Limbo
Trump’s Alligator Alcatraz, once a centerpiece of his immigration strategy, now faces an uncertain future.
While it has drawn praise from some political allies, it has also been widely criticized as a makeshift prison camp with serious environmental and cultural concerns.
The next two months will determine whether the facility can continue operations or must be dismantled entirely.
What’s Next
With Judge Williams’ deadline looming, the Trump administration and Florida officials must navigate legal, environmental, and logistical challenges.
Meanwhile, Native tribes and environmental groups are watching closely, ready to ensure that sacred lands and sensitive ecosystems are protected.
