Judge Orders Closure of “Wannial Catraz” Immigration Facility in Florida

A federal judge in Florida issued an order late Thursday to close parts of the “Wannial Catraz,” effectively preventing the state from using immigration detention facilities for stricter enforcement actions against immigrants.

District Judge Kathleen Williams, who was appointed by former President Obama, ruled that Florida must refrain from expanding the “Crocodile Alcatraz” facility and installing additional lighting. She also mandated the removal of all “generators, gas, sewage, and other waste containers put in place to support this project” within 60 days.

In her 82-page ruling, Williams emphasized that temporary fencing must be taken down to restore access for tribe members “to the extent they enjoyed prior to the construction of the detention camps.” This decision marks a significant win for environmental groups that argue the detention facility, which just opened last month, poses threats to the Everglades and local wildlife.

Williams noted that the project could lead to “irreparable harm through habitat loss and increased mortality rates for endangered species in the area.”

Additionally, she prohibited Florida from detaining more individuals at the facility.

The Department of Homeland Security, under the leadership of Crista Noem, previously described “Alligator Alcatraz” as a model for state-operated immigration detention facilities.

The hill reached out to DHS for a response regarding the ruling but did not receive immediate comment.

The facility utilizes tents surrounded by chain-link fences as accommodations for detainees. Reports from individuals held there indicate issues like inadequate air conditioning, pests, and food infested with maggots.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis mentioned that the facility has the capacity to hold up to 5,000 detainees, asserting that “Wannial Catraz” would have “zero environmental impact.”

Williams’ decision came on the heels of a prior temporary order that paused construction at the facility for two weeks. Environmental organizations filed a lawsuit in June, arguing that the facility did not adhere to necessary environmental standards.

This week, another U.S. District Judge, Rodolfo Lewis, dismissed some lawsuits from detainees who asserted they weren’t given adequate access to their legal representatives.