Federal Judge Orders Shutdown of Trump’s Infamous “Alligator Alcatraz” Immigration Jail
A federal judge in Miami has delivered a stunning blow to the Trump administration’s immigration agenda by ordering the closure of the notorious “Alligator Alcatraz” detention camp within 60 days. Judge Kathleen Williams ruled that no new detainees can be transferred to the facility while it is being phased out.
The ruling builds on a temporary restraining order Williams issued two weeks ago that had already halted construction at the remote tented camp. The jail had become a lightning rod for criticism over harsh conditions, abuse of detainees, and denial of due process for immigrants awaiting deportation.
In her 82-page ruling, Williams concluded that the jail caused “severe and irreparable damage” to the fragile Florida Everglades. She reminded the court that a plan to develop the site into a massive airport was rejected decades ago because of the harm it would inflict on the ecosystem.
“Every Florida governor, senator, and even presidents have pledged to protect and restore the Everglades,” Williams wrote. “This order simply enforces the laws meant to uphold those promises.”
The judge also ordered that no new construction may take place, and the current 700 detainees cannot be increased. After the 60-day period, all fencing, generators, construction materials, and fixtures that turned the site into a detention camp must be removed.
This decision marks a major victory for environmental groups and a Native American tribe who sued the state of Florida and the federal government. They argued that the rushed, eight-day construction of the jail in late June at a disused airfield severely damaged wetlands and endangered federally protected species.
“This is a landmark victory for the Everglades and for Americans who believe this wilderness must be protected, not exploited,” said Eve Samples, executive director of Friends of the Everglades. “It sends a loud message—environmental laws matter, and even top leaders face consequences for ignoring them.”
A press conference is scheduled for Friday morning to discuss the ruling further.
The decision, however, is a serious setback for the Trump administration’s detention and deportation strategy. At its peak, “Alligator Alcatraz” held nearly 1,400 detainees. Trump had hailed it as a jail for “the most vicious people on the planet,” despite the fact that hundreds inside had no criminal record.
There has been no immediate response from the Florida Department of Emergency Management, which runs the camp for ICE, or from the Department of Homeland Security. However, state attorneys previously signaled plans to appeal any unfavorable ruling, according to the Miami Herald.
Anticipating the decision, officials had already begun transferring detainees last weekend to other facilities. Meanwhile, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced that the state will soon open a new immigration jail at a former prison near Gainesville to expand detention capacity.