Appeals Court Halts Order to Dismantle Immigration Detention Facility

A federal appeals court has blocked a judge’s ruling that required Florida and the Trump administration to cease operations at a controversial immigration detention center known as “Crocodile Alcatraz.” The decision came down on Thursday.

In a 2-1 ruling, judges from the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals sided with Florida and the Department of Homeland Security, allowing operations to continue from an order issued on August 21.

The court not only prevented Judge Williams from transferring additional detainees to distant facilities but also halted the lawsuit aimed at closing the detention center altogether.

Judge Barbara Lagoa, appointed by President Trump, authored the opinion of the court. Judge Elizabeth Branch, also appointed by Trump, agreed with Lagoa.

The legal challenge against Florida and the DHS was initiated by environmental organizations and members of the Indian Miccosukee tribe.

The plaintiffs contended that the federal agency failed to evaluate how the facility could affect local water and food sources, which they argued violates the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

In her opinion, Lagoa stated that if there was any significant likelihood of the plaintiffs succeeding in their NEPA claim—which she disputed—the right course of action would have been to stop further use or construction of the facility, rather than mandate its demolition.

Florida’s Republican Governor Ron DeSantis quickly confirmed that the facility remains operational following the appeals court’s ruling. “We continue to enforce our immigration policies,” he mentioned in a video shared on social media.

Florida Attorney General James Usmier hailed the ruling as a triumph for Florida and President Trump’s agenda, celebrating the court’s blockade of Judge Williams’ order to close the facility and stop further legal proceedings until the appeal process is finalized.

On the opposing side, Judge Adalbert Jordan, appointed by Obama, criticized the majority for disregarding key evidence and failing to acknowledge the lower court’s findings on irreversible harm to both the tribes and the environment.

The “Crocodile Alcatraz” facility can currently hold 2,000 detainees but was being expanded to accommodate 4,000 when construction was halted by the district court. Built in just eight days on a former airport site in Miami-Dade County, it commenced operations in July, following an emergency construction order issued by DeSantis.