Federal Judge Halts Construction of Immigrant Detention Center

Categories: National Construction NewsNews

Construction site of the immigrant detention center halted by federal court for environmental reasons.

News Summary

A federal judge has temporarily halted the construction of the immigrant detention center known as ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ in Ochopee, Florida. This ruling comes as the court evaluates allegations that the facility violates environmental laws aimed at protecting local wetlands. The injunction prohibits additional construction and has garnered support from environmental organizations and the Miccosukee Tribe. State officials criticize the decision, asserting it does not impede ongoing immigration enforcement. The halt raises critical questions regarding immigration policy, civil rights, and environmental protection.

Ochopee, Florida – A federal judge has ordered a two-week halt to construction at the controversial immigrant detention center, commonly referred to as “Alligator Alcatraz,” located at the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Facility. The ruling was issued on July 12, 2025, while the court evaluates claims that the facility may violate environmental laws designed to protect the surrounding ecosystem.

U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams has specifically prohibited all new industrial-style lighting, paving, filling, excavating, or fencing at the site. Furthermore, the judge’s order prevents the construction of additional buildings, tents, dormitories, or administrative facilities. This ruling applies to ongoing work but does not interfere with operational activities at the center, which is currently housing hundreds of detainees.

Environmental organizations and the Miccosukee Tribe have been pushing for a preliminary injunction to stop any further construction and operational activities due to concerns that the detention center threatens delicate wetlands in the area. The Friends of the Everglades’ executive director remarked positively on the temporary halt, emphasizing the need to safeguard the Everglades ecosystem.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ administration has criticized the judge’s decision but noted that it would not disrupt ongoing immigration enforcement in the state. The court hearings included testimonies supporting the injunction, and state and federal attorneys are scheduled to present their arguments next week.

The plaintiffs claim that the detention center violates the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), which mandates that federal agencies conduct environmental impact assessments on significant construction projects. In contrast, state officials argue that since the construction and operations are entirely under state jurisdiction, NEPA regulations do not apply. However, expert witnesses in the environmental and ecological fields testified to the potential negative effects of the facility on surrounding wetlands and expressed concerns about increased runoff damaging the Everglades.

Notably, it has been reported that over 20 acres of asphalt have been laid at the site since the onset of construction. Experts have raised alarms about how this expansion may lead to harmful runoff that could adversely affect the local environment.

This legal challenge represents one of two current lawsuits against the facility. The second lawsuit focuses on civil rights allegations against the treatment of detainees, claiming that they are denied access to legal representation and are held without formal charges. A hearing regarding this civil rights complaint is set for August 18. In response to these claims, state officials maintain that detainees have been permitted to meet with their legal representatives without reported issues since mid-July.

The construction and operation of the detention center are conducted under an intergovernmental agreement with federal agencies, emphasizing the complex relationship between state and federal governance in this context. Meanwhile, the Governor’s administration is reportedly in the planning stages for a second detention center at a Florida National Guard training facility located in northern Florida.

As the legal proceedings unfold, the future of the “Alligator Alcatraz” facility hangs in the balance, raising significant questions about the intersection of immigration policy, environmental protection, and civil rights in Florida.