Court of Appeals Halts Order to Shut Down ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ in Florida

Court Halts Alligator Alcatraz Closure

DeSantis Celebrates Political Win

Miccosukee Tribe Maintains Lawsuit

According to EFE, the Eleventh Circuit of the U.S. Federal Court of Appeals suspended on Thursday the ruling that ordered the dismantling of the migrant detention center known as Alligator Alcatraz.

The decision represents a political and legal victory for the Florida government, led by Governor Ron DeSantis.

The Court accepted the joint appeal from federal and state administrations to block Judge Kathleen Williams’ order.

On August 21, Williams had given a two-month deadline to shut down the facility, located west of Miami in the Everglades.

Dispute Over Migrant Detention Center

The U.S. Court of Appeals suspends the order to dismantle the migrant detention center ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ in Florida. https://t.co/GPXLJlvOuH

— EFE Noticias (@EFEnoticias) September 4, 2025

The center, opened on July 3, had been criticized for its location and the lack of environmental studies.

Williams had also prohibited the admission of new migrants until the judicial process was completed.

With the suspension, the case is now on hold, and the future of the center will depend on the final outcome of the appeal.

Governor DeSantis celebrated the decision in a video shared on his social media.

Ron DeSantis Defends Immigration Policy

| Florida Governor Ron DeSantis celebrates as the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the ruling of a “leftist” judge and confirmed that Alligator Alcatraz remains operational in its mission to expel illegal immigrants. pic.twitter.com/tNlgGll1OK

— UHN Plus (@UHN_Plus) September 4, 2025

“We said we would fight it, that the mission would continue. So I am pleased to say that the Eleventh Circuit just suspended the ruling. Alligator Alcatraz is open,” DeSantis declared.

The governor went on to criticize Judge Williams, whom he labeled a “leftist” for having been nominated during Barack Obama’s presidency.

“The mission continues in enforcing immigration law. The media was wrong in saying that Alligator Alcatraz was closing. The illegal aliens are still there and are being deported,” DeSantis said.

The Court of Appeals ruling is a setback for the plaintiffs, which include environmental groups Friends of the Everglades and the Center for Biological Diversity.

Court Halts Alligator Alcatraz Closure and Prolongs Dispute

Court of Appeals Halts Alligator Alcatraz Closure – PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK

Also part of the lawsuit is the Miccosukee Tribe, which has challenged the construction in a fragile ecosystem of cultural and spiritual importance.

The organizations warned that they are prepared to take the case all the way to the Supreme Court if necessary.

The surprise was greater because just two days earlier, DeSantis had proposed another migrant detention center in the state’s northwest, under the name Panhandle Pokey.

The announcement was meant to reinforce immigration security policy after the initial setback against Alligator Alcatraz.

Contradictory Messages From Florida

Kevin Guthrie, Florida’s Director of Emergency Management, had stated the previous week that the center would soon be empty.

Guthrie’s comment seemed to anticipate its closure, but the appeal changed the course of events.

Alligator Alcatraz has become a symbol of President Donald Trump’s immigration policy.

Trump himself visited the facility on July 1, just weeks before the court ruling against it.

Alligator Alcatraz Is a Symbol of Trump’s Immigration Policy

During the visit, it was highlighted that the center would have the capacity to house up to 5,000 migrants.

“It’s a victory for Florida and President Trump’s agenda!” declared State Attorney General James Uthmeier after the decision was announced.

Florida and Alligator Alcatraz represent one of the cornerstones of Trump’s immigration strategy.

According to official figures, the number of people in ICE custody has doubled since Trump took office in January.

Rise in Migrant Detentions

In August, the number of detainees reached 61,226, reflecting a rapid increase in the migrant population in detention centers.

The plaintiffs’ criticisms focus on the absence of prior environmental studies for the construction.

They argue that the center was built without public consultation and without evaluating the impact on the Everglades wetlands.

The Miccosukee Tribe insists that the project threatens a territory of high cultural and spiritual value to their community.

Legal Battle Will Continue

The case will remain open as the appeal is resolved, which could take months or even years.

For now, the suspension keeps the facility operational and reinforces the narrative of DeSantis and Trump regarding immigration control.

The future of Alligator Alcatraz has become a point of political, environmental, and legal dispute in Florida.

The legal battle will determine not only the fate of the center but also the scope of federal immigration policy in collaboration with the states.