After nearly a year of operation, the controversial Everglades immigration detention center—infamously dubbed "Alligator Alcatraz"—has officially closed its doors. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced the permanent shutdown on June 25, 2026, confirming that the facility now holds zero detainees.  

Donald Trump's $1 Billion Immigration Detention Camp Closes

<p>A federal judge has blocked state and federal officials from sending any more detainees to the controversial immigration facility in the Florida Everglades, widely dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz.” The late-night ruling on Thursday also ordered the dismantling of parts of the site, including temporary fencing, lights and generators, within 60 days.</p><p><strong>Also read: </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fbi-raids-home-of-ex-trump-aide-john-bolton-1755864720286"><strong>‘No one is above the law’: FBI raids home of ex-Trump aide John Bolton</strong></a></p><h2><strong>Why does the ruling matter?</strong></h2><p>The 82-page decision by US District Judge Kathleen Williams is a major setback for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and US President Donald Trump, who both backed the project and encouraged other states to replicate it. Environmental groups and the Miccosukee Tribe had filed lawsuits soon after the plan was announced, saying the project violated the National Environmental Policy Act, which requires impact studies before large-scale construction.</p><h2><strong>Environmental risks to the Everglades</strong></h2><p>Although both the Trump and DeSantis administrations claimed the facility caused “zero impact” because it was built on an old airstrip, the court sided with expert testimony that showed otherwise. Williams noted evidence of wastewater discharge and runoff that posed risks to the fragile ecosystem. She also cited testimony that the new lighting reduced the habitat of the endangered Florida panther by 2,000 acres.</p><p>The Miccosukee Tribe told the court the project had blocked access to hunting trails and areas used for harvesting plants of ceremonial and medicinal value. “The state consulted with no stakeholders or experts and did no evaluation of the environmental risks. Here, there weren’t ‘deficiencies’ in the agency’s process. There was no process,” Williams wrote.</p><h2><strong>Reactions to the court decision</strong></h2><p>Environmental groups welcomed the ruling. Eve Samples, executive director of Friends of the Everglades, called it “a landmark victory for the Everglades and countless Americans who believe this imperilled wilderness should be protected, not exploited.” She added, “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.”</p><h2><strong>DeSantis vows to fight back</strong></h2><p>Florida’s Division of Emergency Management immediately appealed, and Governor DeSantis told Fox News he had expected an “adverse ruling.” “We will ultimately be successful in this. It’s not going to stop our resolve. So we anticipated this, but I don’t think it’s going to be insurmountable in the end,” he said.</p>

A judge blocked further detainee transfers to Florida’s Alligator Alcatraz and ordered partial dismantling. The ruling is a major blow to DeSantis and Trump, citing environmental and tribal legal concerns.

A federal judge has blocked state and federal officials from sending any more detainees to the controversial immigration facility in the Florida Everglades, widely dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz.” The late-night ruling on Thursday also ordered the dismantling of parts of the site, including temporary fencing, lights and generators, within 60 days. Also read: ‘No one is above the law’: FBI raids home of ex-Trump aide John Bolton Why does the ruling matter? The 82-page decision by US District Judge Kathleen Williams is a major setback for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and US President Donald Trump, who both backed the project and encouraged other states to replicate it. Environmental groups and the Miccosukee Tribe had filed lawsuits soon after the plan was announced, saying the project violated the National Environmental Policy Act, which requires impact studies before large-scale construction. Environmental risks to the Everglades Although both the Trump and DeSantis administrations claimed the facility caused “zero impact” because it was built on an old airstrip, the court sided with expert testimony that showed otherwise. Williams noted evidence of wastewater discharge and runoff that posed risks to the fragile ecosystem. She also cited testimony that the new lighting reduced the habitat of the endangered Florida panther by 2,000 acres. The Miccosukee Tribe told the court the project had blocked access to hunting trails and areas used for harvesting plants of ceremonial and medicinal value. “The state consulted with no stakeholders or experts and did no evaluation of the environmental risks. Here, there weren’t ‘deficiencies’ in the agency’s process. There was no process,” Williams wrote. Reactions to the court decision Environmental groups welcomed the ruling. Eve Samples, executive director of Friends of the Everglades, called it “a landmark victory for the Everglades and countless Americans who believe this imperilled wilderness should be protected, not exploited.” She added, “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.” DeSantis vows to fight back Florida’s Division of Emergency Management immediately appealed, and Governor DeSantis told Fox News he had expected an “adverse ruling.” “We will ultimately be successful in this. It’s not going to stop our resolve. So we anticipated this, but I don’t think it’s going to be insurmountable in the end,” he said.

<p>A judge blocked further detainee transfers to Florida’s <i>Alligator Alcatraz</i> and ordered partial dismantling. The ruling is a major blow to DeSantis and Trump, citing environmental and tribal legal concerns.</p>

Trump's dream prison to be dismantled? Judge slams brakes on Florida’s ‘Alligator Alcatraz’

<p>A federal judge has ordered a temporary halt to construction work at a controversial detention centre in Florida’s Everglades, nicknamed “Alligator Alcatraz”, over concerns it could be damaging the fragile ecosystem. US District Judge Kathleen Williams ruled on Thursday that all new development at the site must stop for at least 14 days while court hearings continue. She said the plaintiffs, who include several environmental groups, had shown enough evidence of “ongoing environmental harms” to justify the pause.</p><p>“I think that evidence is sufficient to support the plaintiffs’ claims,” said Judge Williams, an Obama-era appointee. She pointed out how many US presidents had supported efforts to keep the Everglades “pristine”.</p><p><strong>Also read: </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-pushes-to-leave-out-illegal-undocumented-immigrants-from-census-1754588689356"><strong>Can Trump order a new census? US president pushes to leave out ‘illegal' undocumented immigrants</strong></a></p><h2><strong>What work is now on hold?</strong></h2><p>The judge’s order halts any further paving, lighting installation, filling, fencing or excavation at the site, which is near the Big Cypress National Preserve, a protected area that is home to endangered animals like the Florida panther and Florida bonneted bat. She described the plaintiffs’ request for a restraining order as “pretty reasonable” and noted the importance of avoiding further damage while legal arguments play out.</p><h2><strong>What the environmental experts are saying</strong></h2><p>Experts told the court on Thursday that the newly paved areas were already affecting the landscape. Using aerial photos and videos, they warned of increased stormwater runoff and pollution caused by the fresh pavement, which they said does not allow water to soak in. Wetlands ecologist Christopher McVoy explained that water in the flat Everglades can rise up to two feet in the rainy season, carrying oil and debris from the roads into the sensitive ecosystem.</p><p>“It’s like pouring water on glass,” McVoy said, referring to the non-porous pavement. “It doesn’t go in; it runs off. And wherever it runs into is potentially a concern,” he added. Geologist Dillon Reio estimated that more than 20 acres of pavement had been added and warned that this would lead to chemicals contaminating the land and water, harming both aquatic and land-based species.</p><h2><strong>What happens next in court?</strong></h2><p>This was the second day of hearings about the environmental impact of the detention facility. The state has yet to present its witnesses, with the next court session set for Tuesday. Although Judge Williams offered to continue hearings into Thursday afternoon to avoid a restraining order, state lawyers had already released their witnesses and were not prepared to proceed. The case has drawn significant attention due to the sensitive location of the site within America’s largest wetlands and its proximity to endangered wildlife habitats.</p>

A judge ordered a 14-day halt to construction at Florida’s “Alligator Alcatraz” detention center, citing evidence of environmental harm to the Everglades raised by environmental groups during ongoing court hearings.

A federal judge has ordered a temporary halt to construction work at a controversial detention centre in Florida’s Everglades, nicknamed “Alligator Alcatraz”, over concerns it could be damaging the fragile ecosystem. US District Judge Kathleen Williams ruled on Thursday that all new development at the site must stop for at least 14 days while court hearings continue. She said the plaintiffs, who include several environmental groups, had shown enough evidence of “ongoing environmental harms” to justify the pause. “I think that evidence is sufficient to support the plaintiffs’ claims,” said Judge Williams, an Obama-era appointee. She pointed out how many US presidents had supported efforts to keep the Everglades “pristine”. Also read: Can Trump order a new census? US president pushes to leave out ‘illegal' undocumented immigrants What work is now on hold? The judge’s order halts any further paving, lighting installation, filling, fencing or excavation at the site, which is near the Big Cypress National Preserve, a protected area that is home to endangered animals like the Florida panther and Florida bonneted bat. She described the plaintiffs’ request for a restraining order as “pretty reasonable” and noted the importance of avoiding further damage while legal arguments play out. What the environmental experts are saying Experts told the court on Thursday that the newly paved areas were already affecting the landscape. Using aerial photos and videos, they warned of increased stormwater runoff and pollution caused by the fresh pavement, which they said does not allow water to soak in. Wetlands ecologist Christopher McVoy explained that water in the flat Everglades can rise up to two feet in the rainy season, carrying oil and debris from the roads into the sensitive ecosystem. “It’s like pouring water on glass,” McVoy said, referring to the non-porous pavement. “It doesn’t go in; it runs off. And wherever it runs into is potentially a concern,” he added. Geologist Dillon Reio estimated that more than 20 acres of pavement had been added and warned that this would lead to chemicals contaminating the land and water, harming both aquatic and land-based species. What happens next in court? This was the second day of hearings about the environmental impact of the detention facility. The state has yet to present its witnesses, with the next court session set for Tuesday. Although Judge Williams offered to continue hearings into Thursday afternoon to avoid a restraining order, state lawyers had already released their witnesses and were not prepared to proceed. The case has drawn significant attention due to the sensitive location of the site within America’s largest wetlands and its proximity to endangered wildlife habitats.

<p>A judge ordered a 14-day halt to construction at Florida’s “Alligator Alcatraz” detention center, citing evidence of environmental harm to the Everglades raised by environmental groups during ongoing court hearings.</p>

Trump's dream prison in trouble? Judge halts ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ construction to protect Florida panthers and endangered bats

US President Donald Trump toured a new immigration detention center - dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz” - which is surrounded by alligator-filled swamps in the Florida Everglades. Trump and his team suggests that it could be a model for future lockups in USA

<p>US President Donald Trump toured a new immigration detention center - dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz” - which is surrounded by alligator-filled swamps in the Florida Everglades. Trump and his team suggests that it could be a model for future lockups in USA</p>

Trump tours 'Alligator Alcatraz' detention centre: Bunk beds, fenced-in cells, real alligators and protests - INSIDE pics here

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Donald Trump's $1 Billion Immigration Detention Camp Closes

Trump's dream prison to be dismantled? Judge slams brakes on Alligator Alcatraz

Judge halts ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ construction to protect Florida panthers, bats

Trump tours 'Alligator Alcatraz' detention centre - INSIDE pics here