(FLORIDA) The “Alligator Alcatraz” immigration detention facility in the Florida Everglades will have no detainees within days, according to state officials and interfaith leaders, after a federal judge ordered the site to wind down operations because of environmental violations and unsafe conditions. U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams issued the order on August 21, 2025, giving a 60-day deadline to remove everyone held there. A request to pause that order was denied on August 27, and an appeals court has not yet ruled.
Court order and rapid emptying
Florida Division of Emergency Management Executive Director Kevin Guthrie told faith leaders by email that the facility will be down to zero detainees “within a few days” as of August 28, 2025. That note was received and shared by South Florida Rabbi Mario Rojzman and other interfaith leaders.
The order bars new transfers to the site, and those still held are being deported or moved to other centers. The population fell sharply in recent weeks: the facility once held nearly 1,000 people, but was down to about 300–350 last week as removals picked up speed. Officials expect the site to be empty by early September if the current pace continues.
Judge Williams’ ruling cited environmental harm and inhumane conditions. The state of Florida and the Trump administration sought to stop the order but were turned down. The appeals process remains active, yet the practical effect is already visible: transfers and deportations have accelerated, and buses have been leaving the grounds daily, according to advocates and local faith groups who monitor the site.
Key takeaway: The court’s deadline has triggered a rapid drawdown of detainees, even as legal appeals continue.
Background and reactions
The complex, nicknamed “Alligator Alcatraz,” sits at the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport in Ochopee. Florida built it quickly in June 2025 with space for up to 3,000 detainees as part of President Trump’s stepped-up enforcement drive. The price tag reached about $400 million.
From the start, the location and speed of construction drew sharp criticism:
- Environmental groups argued the project threatened the Everglades ecosystem and endangered species.
- Tribal leaders warned of harm to sacred lands.
- Lawsuits pointed to overcrowding and uneven access to faith services for those detained.
Three major suits, including one led by Friends of the Everglades, challenged the legality of the site. Legal experts say the judge weighed both environmental and humanitarian concerns — an approach that could influence where and how future detention centers are built or expanded.
Tribal and environmental groups called the wind-down a relief for the Everglades and nearby communities and said they will keep up the fight if Florida pursues appeals, even suggesting the matter could reach the U.S. Supreme Court.
State officials argue they need capacity. Gov. Ron DeSantis has framed the falling population as a sign of increased deportations by the Department of Homeland Security. Federal attorneys countered that detention decisions at this location were made by Florida under state emergency authority, not by federal placement choices.
U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.), who toured the site, reported the drop in detainee numbers in recent days. Guthrie has communicated with faith leaders about chaplaincy access during transfers, underscoring the human side of a fast-moving shutdown.
The state is not stepping back from detention altogether. Florida announced plans to open a new site, dubbed “Deportation Depot,” to handle ongoing enforcement needs if the courts force Alligator Alcatraz to close permanently. That plan could face its own challenges, given the legal findings around environment and care, and the state’s appeal is still pending.
Policy implications
Policy analysts say the case highlights a longstanding tug-of-war over who controls detention operations in the United States, especially when state actions intersect with federal immigration enforcement. The judge’s order, if upheld, may set a practical bar for environmental review and humane treatment that state partners must meet before opening or expanding facilities.
Environmental advocates view the decision as a warning against building large-scale detention in sensitive areas without careful study. Immigration policy analysts add that the ruling underscores the need for clear standards on health, safety, and access to services whenever states assist with detention.
How the closure is unfolding
- Order issued (Aug. 21): Judge Williams directs the facility to wind down within 60 days.
- No new intakes: The court blocks transfers to Alligator Alcatraz while the order is in force.
- Active removal: Detainees are moved out by transfer or deportation; buses and flights have continued daily.
- Zero detainees expected: State officials say the population will hit zero within days, likely by early September.
- Appeal pending: Florida is appealing; higher courts may shape the final outcome.
Standards, logistics, and advocacy
For those tracking treatment standards, the ICE detention framework provides a baseline for medical care, safety, and religious accommodation in federal custody. While Alligator Alcatraz is state-run, these norms are often cited when advocates assess conditions.
Readers can review the agency’s published rules here: ICE Detention Standards.
Guthrie’s message to faith leaders reflects a rare point of agreement in a heated debate: a quick, orderly drawdown is better than a chaotic rush. Interfaith volunteers have tried to support people during transfers, including sharing updates with families and coordinating spiritual care when possible.
At the same time, overcrowding at other Florida centers remains a concern raised by both state and federal officials. Moving hundreds of people out of one facility often strains capacity elsewhere, especially when court hearings, legal access, and religious needs must continue without interruption.
Legal path ahead and monitoring
The legal path ahead is uncertain:
- If the appeals court agrees with Judge Williams, the closure could become permanent and shape how future facilities are sited near protected lands.
- If Florida wins on appeal, the state could try to restart operations, though that would collide with the already-empty status and the judge’s detailed findings.
Tribal leaders and environmental groups say they are prepared to respond either way and keep the case alive if needed.
For families and advocates seeking updates:
- The Florida Division of Emergency Management oversees day-to-day logistics for this site.
- The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida maintains filings related to the order.
- South Florida media outlets continue to track departures and legal steps.
The story is moving quickly, but one constant remains: with the court’s directive in place and transfers ongoing, Alligator Alcatraz is on the cusp of being empty — a swift turn for a project built just months ago amid intense political pressure and deep community concern.
This Article in a Nutshell
A federal judge ordered the Alligator Alcatraz immigration detention facility in the Everglades to wind down within 60 days on August 21, 2025, citing environmental harm and inhumane conditions. The order bars new transfers and accelerated removals; the population dropped from nearly 1,000 to about 300–350 as deportations and transfers increased. Florida officials and interfaith leaders reported the site would be empty within days as of August 28. Built rapidly in June 2025 with capacity for 3,000 at a cost near $400 million, the facility faced lawsuits from environmental groups and tribal leaders. Florida is appealing and plans a backup site, while advocates warn closures could strain other centers. The ruling may set precedent for environmental and humanitarian standards in future detention projects.
