Ron DeSantis Responds to Judge Ordering Halt to Alligator Alcatraz

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said operations at an immigration detention center dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz” are “ongoing” after a federal judge on Thursday ordered a two-week halt to construction there while she considers whether it violates environmental laws.

“Operations at Alligator Alcatraz are ongoing and deportations are continuing,” DeSantis wrote in a post on X on Thursday.

Alex Lanfranconi, DeSantis’ communications director, wrote that Thursday’s ruling “will have no impact on immigration enforcement in Florida. Alligator Alcatraz will remain operational, continuing to serve as a force multiplier to enhance deportation efforts.”

It came after U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams ruled the center can continue to operate and hold those detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, but temporarily barred any new construction at the center.

It comes as environmental groups argue that the detention facility violates the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), which requires federal agencies to evaluate the environmental impact of major construction projects.

Attorneys for Florida argued that although Alligator Alcatraz will hold federal detainees, its construction and operation are under the state’s purview and that NEPA does not apply.

The facility was quickly built two months ago at a lightly used, single-runway training airport and can hold up to 3,000 detainees in temporary tent structures.

This is a developing story. Updates to follow.