Appeals Court Overturns Judge’s Order to Close Alligator Alcatraz

In a significant development, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit in Atlanta has overturned a ruling by U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams, an Obama appointee, that ordered the closure of the controversial “Alligator Alcatraz” immigration detention facility in South Florida’s Everglades. The decision, announced just hours ago on September 5, 2025, found that Judge Williams overstepped her legal authority when she issued a preliminary injunction on August 21, mandating that Florida and federal authorities halt operations at the facility and begin dismantling its infrastructure within 60 days. The appeals court’s ruling marks a victory for the state of Florida and the Trump administration, reigniting debates over immigration enforcement, environmental law, and federal versus state authority.

Background of the Case

The Alligator Alcatraz facility, located at the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport in the Everglades, was established in July 2025 as a state-run immigration detention center to support President Donald Trump’s aggressive deportation agenda. Built in just eight days, the makeshift tent city, capable of housing up to 2,000 detainees, has been plagued by reports of unsanitary conditions, including worm-infested food and inadequate sanitation, as well as criticism for its environmental impact on the surrounding Big Cypress National Preserve. The facility operates under a cooperative agreement between Florida and the federal government, with the state managing daily operations while adhering to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) standards.

On August 21, Judge Williams issued an 82-page preliminary injunction, barring Florida and federal authorities from transferring additional detainees to the facility and ordering the removal of temporary fencing, lighting, generators, and other infrastructure within 60 days. Williams cited violations of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), a federal law requiring environmental impact assessments for major projects. She argued that the rapid construction of Alligator Alcatraz, without public input or environmental studies, posed significant risks to the Everglades’ fragile ecosystem, home to endangered species like the Florida panther, and threatened the Miccosukee Tribe’s cultural practices. Environmental groups, including Friends of the Everglades and the Center for Biological Diversity, along with the Miccosukee Tribe, celebrated the ruling as a “landmark victory” for the Everglades.

The Eleventh Circuit’s Ruling

The Eleventh Circuit’s decision, delivered by a divided three-judge panel, overturned Williams’ injunction, arguing it was overly broad and infringed on the executive branch’s authority to manage immigration enforcement. In its majority opinion, the court emphasized that Alligator Alcatraz operates under a cooperative agreement, known as a 287(g) agreement, which delegates certain immigration enforcement powers to the state while maintaining federal oversight. The court ruled that Williams improperly dismissed this arrangement, asserting that the facility is primarily state-led and funded, thus falling outside NEPA’s requirements for “major federal action.”

The majority noted that Florida could seek reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, but until such funding is formally approved, the project does not trigger NEPA’s environmental review obligations. “The Facility is a site built, led, operated, and funded unilaterally by a state government—in accordance with the state’s laws—at which the state retains discretionary control over who is detained,” the court stated. This distinction was pivotal, as it countered Williams’ argument that the facility’s compliance with ICE standards and its federal funding promises made it a federal project subject to NEPA.

A single dissenting judge argued that Williams’ shutdown order should have been upheld, citing testimony and official statements indicating that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requested the facility and that ICE inspected it, suggesting federal involvement. The dissenter stressed that the project’s environmental impact, including habitat loss and risks to endangered species, constituted “irreparable harm” to plaintiffs, supporting Williams’ injunction.

Reactions and Implications

The ruling has elicited strong reactions from both sides. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis celebrated the decision on X, stating, “The mission continues at Alligator Alcatraz. The media was wrong. The leftist judge has been overturned.” The DHS echoed this sentiment, posting, “Today’s order is a win for the American people, the rule of law, and common sense.” They argued that the lawsuit was driven by “open-borders activists” rather than genuine environmental concerns.

Environmental groups and the Miccosukee Tribe expressed disappointment but vowed to continue their fight. Eve Samples, executive director of Friends of the Everglades, told CNN, “The case is far from over.” The plaintiffs argue that the facility’s construction, which involved paving 20 acres and installing high-powered lighting, threatens the Everglades’ ecosystem and the tribe’s nearby reservation.

The decision has broader implications for immigration enforcement and environmental law. By affirming the state’s role in Alligator Alcatraz, the court bolsters cooperative federal-state immigration initiatives, potentially paving the way for similar facilities, such as Florida’s planned “Deportation Depot” in Baker County. However, it also raises questions about NEPA’s applicability to state-led projects with federal ties, a gray area likely to face further litigation.

Looking Ahead

The Eleventh Circuit’s stay not only blocks Williams’ injunction but also halts the underlying case until the appeal is resolved, allowing Alligator Alcatraz to remain operational. Florida has indicated plans to resume detainee transfers if the injunction remains suspended, with state officials confident the court will ultimately overturn Williams’ ruling. Meanwhile, the controversy underscores ongoing tensions between environmental protection and immigration enforcement, with Chicago facing a similar federal deployment of ICE agents and National Guard troops. As legal battles continue, Alligator Alcatraz remains a flashpoint in the national debate over immigration policy and environmental stewardship.