Appeals Court Reinstates Operations at ‘Alligator Alcatraz’

A federal appeals court handed Florida and the Trump administration a major victory Thursday, reversing an Obama-appointed judge’s attempt to shut down the state’s Everglades migrant detention facility — better known as “Alligator Alcatraz.”

The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals granted a stay of U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams’ ruling, which had halted construction and blocked new detainees from being housed at the site. Williams, nominated by Barack Obama, had claimed Florida could not use its own property for immigration enforcement without first conducting an environmental impact study.

The appellate panel, siding with Florida and the Department of Homeland Security, rejected her reasoning outright. “After careful consideration, we grant the defendants’ motions and we stay the preliminary injunction and the underlying case itself pending appeal,” the judges wrote.

The decision clears the way for Florida to continue operating the facility, which primarily holds criminal aliens, while the broader legal battle continues.

Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) celebrated the ruling, calling it a victory against activist judges trying to block immigration enforcement.
“The media was giddy that somehow Alligator Alcatraz was ‘shutting down,’” DeSantis said. “We told them that wasn’t true. There had been illegal aliens continuing to be there and removed and returned to their home country. Now the 11th Circuit has affirmed that Alligator Alcatraz is open for business.”

DeSantis accused Williams of blatant judicial overreach:
“Some leftist judge ruled implausibly that somehow Florida wasn’t allowed to use our own property to help the federal government in this important mission because they didn’t do an environmental impact statement. Well, we said we would fight that — and we won.”

Attorney General James Uthmeier (R-FL), who first proposed the facility as an “innovative solution” to immigration enforcement challenges, said the ruling validates the state’s efforts. He stressed the Everglades site helps ease strain on existing detention centers and accelerates deportations of illegal immigrants.

The detention center, built on a former airfield and surrounded by alligator-infested waters, has been hailed by supporters as one of the most secure facilities in the country. Homeland Security officials under President Donald Trump endorsed the project, calling it essential to expanding detention capacity.

Williams’ ruling had temporarily disrupted operations, forcing detainee transfers and freezing construction. The appeals court ruling now restores full use of the site and allows expansion to move forward.

The case will continue on appeal, but for now, Florida and the Trump administration have scored a decisive win over activist judges and open-borders advocates.

DeSantis framed it simply:
“The mission continues on immigration enforcement. We told people from the beginning this wasn’t shutting down — and the court has now affirmed we were right.”