Judge Orders Two-Week Halt to Construction at Everglades Deportation Facility

A federal judge has paused new work at the Everglades deportation facility for two weeks, citing environmental and legal concerns. The decision, issued August 8, 2025, puts construction on hold while the court weighs a longer stop.

U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams granted a temporary restraining order that halts all new building at the site known as “Alligator Alcatraz.” The order affects paving, lighting, filling, and infrastructure, but the detention center remains open.

What the order does now

• Date and duration: Issued August 8, 2025, the restraining order runs for 14 days while the court considers a preliminary injunction.
• Scope: Stops new construction activities, including filling, paving, lighting, and expansion work.
• Operations: The facility continues to process and detain people. Immigration enforcement is not restricted.
• Next step: Judge Kathleen Williams will issue a written order and hold more hearings on whether to extend the halt.

The site and why it matters

The Everglades deportation facility sits at the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport, a lightly used airstrip ringed by the Big Cypress National Preserve. Built quickly two months ago, it can hold up to 3,000 people in large tents and trailers.

The area is home to endangered wildlife, including the Florida panther and Florida bonneted bat, and forms part of a fragile ecosystem that depends on clean water and dark skies.

Environmental experts told the court that at least 20 acres of new asphalt were laid, with more roads and heavy equipment brought in. They warned that additional pavement could increase polluted runoff into the Everglades and harm protected species.

Who’s fighting in court

• Environmental groups: Friends of the Everglades, Earthjustice, and the Center for Biological Diversity argue the project violates the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Administrative Procedure Act. They say the site’s wetlands, wildlife, water quality, and dark sky face serious risks if construction continues.
• Miccosukee Tribe: The Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida is a plaintiff, saying the base threatens both sensitive lands and sacred areas. Chairman Talbert Cypress called the ruling “an important step in asserting our rights and protecting our homeland.”
• State of Florida: Governor Ron DeSantis’s team says the buildout is temporary and relies on portable units. The state argues it needs the center for immigration enforcement and says the ruling does not affect ongoing operations.
• Democratic lawmakers: State Rep. Anna Eskamani and others say the project harms the Everglades and human rights, and clashes with decades of taxpayer-funded restoration work.

How we got here

1. 2022–2023: Florida used an emergency order to take control of the airport site from Miami-Dade County amid rising migrant arrivals.
2. 2024: Construction began and environmental and tribal opposition grew.
3. June 2025: The facility opened and lawsuits were filed.
4. August 2025: Judge Williams issued a two-week restraining order while weighing a longer injunction.

The core legal clash

The central dispute is whether NEPA applies. Plaintiffs say the Everglades deportation facility functions as a federal project because it supports immigration enforcement goals. The state says it is a state-run site, not a federal action, so federal environmental review does not apply.

The court’s determination could shape how far state governments can go when building detention sites in ecologically sensitive areas without a federal environmental study.

What remains open during the pause

• The center is still operational; people already in custody remain there.
• Transfers, processing, and law enforcement activities continue.
• Only new construction and expansion are paused.

Environmental stakes on the ground

Expert testimony and aerial photos presented to the court show fresh paving, roads, and heavy machinery. Scientists warned of:

• Runoff and water pollution from asphalt and chemicals
• Loss of habitat for endangered species
• Harm to the region’s dark sky, which affects wildlife behavior
• Pressure on nearby wetlands, which help filter water for the broader Everglades

Important: More pavement and infrastructure can increase polluted runoff and harm species and ecosystems that depend on clean water and natural light conditions.

Tribal sovereignty and cultural impact

The Miccosukee Tribe says the area includes places of cultural importance and that the project moved ahead without proper tribal consultation. The case could influence how courts weigh tribal rights when states act on lands close to protected areas.

Case management and what to expect

Judge Kathleen Williams took over after Judge Jose Martinez recused himself. She plans to issue a written order explaining the two-week pause and will hold more hearings on a longer injunction.

For official updates on filings and schedules, check the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida website: https://www.flsd.uscourts.gov/

What this means for people in detention and families

The ruling does not change custody today, but the site’s long-term future is uncertain. If the court grants a preliminary injunction, construction could stop for a longer period, which may affect where the state places future arrivals.

Practical steps for families and lawyers:

• Confirm that hearings or attorney visits remain on schedule.
• Track court filings to understand possible timeline changes.
• Document any facility conditions you believe relate to construction, such as lighting or flooding, for your legal team.

Perspectives from both sides

• Environmental lawyers: NEPA review is essential when a project risks harming a unique ecosystem and endangered animals.
• State officials: Stress public safety and enforcement needs, calling the setup rapid and portable and noting the pause won’t slow day-to-day operations.
• Tribal leaders: Insist that protecting sacred land and the environment must come first and that they have a right to be heard in decisions affecting their homeland.

Why this case could matter beyond Florida

The outcome may guide future disputes over state-run detention sites placed near protected lands. It tests how courts balance:

• State authority
• Federal environmental law (NEPA)
• Tribal sovereignty

VisaVerge.com reports that it is following the case closely because of its wider policy stakes.

What to watch next

• Written order: Expect detailed reasoning from Judge Williams on the temporary pause.
• Preliminary injunction hearing: The court will decide whether to extend the construction halt beyond the initial 14 days.
• Potential ripple effects: A ruling on NEPA could affect where and how states build similar facilities in the future.

Takeaways

• Construction paused for two weeks; operations continue.
• NEPA vs. state authority is the core legal question.
• Environmental and tribal concerns are central to the lawsuit.
• Longer injunction remains possible after further hearings.

If you live nearby, or have a loved one at “Alligator Alcatraz,” keep a close eye on the court’s next move. The judge’s upcoming decision on a preliminary injunction will determine if this pause becomes a longer stop, and whether the Everglades deportation facility can keep building in one of the country’s most sensitive landscapes.