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The Attorney General of Florida, James Uthmeier, said that they will continue operating Alligator Alcatraz despite the decision of a federal judge.
Uthmeier stated in a phone call to Local 10 that he has already filed a notice of appeal.
"We will continue to operate the facilities (...) We believe that these facilities are completely legal. This is an effort by environmentalists, the left, the Democrats, and, honestly, by this judge, to obstruct our immigration control measures. They don't like deportations," he stated.
According to Local 10, efforts to reverse a judge's decision to close Alligator Alcatraz are intensifying, as the state of Florida is asking the court to halt the recent decision by a federal judge to dismantle the detention center.
The state requests that the appeals court suspend the order to close the site starting Monday at 5 p.m., they add.
Demands that require closure
This Sunday, a new federal lawsuit filed by civil rights and immigrant advocacy organizations directly challenged the legality of the operation of the immigrant detention center located in the Everglades.
The action represents the third significant legal challenge against the installation, driven by Governor Ron DeSantis as part of his strategy to tighten immigration.
The lawsuit was filed in the Middle District Court of Florida by the ACLU, the ACLU of Florida, the Community Justice Project, and the National Immigrant Justice Center.
This new lawsuit adds to two previous legal battles.
The first was led by civil rights attorneys, who reported pressures on migrants to sign deportation orders without access to legal representation, as well as serious limitations on their ability to communicate with their advocates.
The second came from the Miccosukee tribe and environmental groups, who filed environmental lawsuits claiming violations of federal laws and irreparable harm to endangered species in the Everglades.
Just a few days ago, Federal Judge Kathleen Williams ordered the permanent closure of the site, citing that its construction had caused irreversible environmental damage. The ruling requires the facilities to be dismantled within a maximum of 60 days, although the state has already announced plans to appeal.
These controversies are compounded by revelations from the Miami Herald regarding the contractors linked to the project. Five of the companies hired by Florida to construct and operate Alligator Alcatraz have histories of fraud, overpricing, and misappropriation of public funds.
Among them is SLSCO, investigated for employing armed guards without legal status during the construction of the border wall and for charging inflated fees in shelters for asylum seekers in New York.
Also mentioned are Garner Environmental Services, accused of abusive billing; IRG Global Emergency Management, linked to fraudulent claims after hurricanes; and the Canadian conglomerate GardaWorld, responsible for dozens of fatal accidents involving its armored trucks.
Even CDW Government, a supplier of electronic equipment for the center, acknowledged that it is under federal investigation for alleged fraud in public contracts, having paid over five million dollars in 2013 to settle a similar case.
Since its inauguration in July 2025, Alligator Alcatraz has been presented by DeSantis and Donald Trump as a model to be replicated in future immigration facilities.
However, the testimonies of detainees and lawyers paint a radically different picture: inhumane conditions, tents without ventilation, collapsed bathrooms, food infested with worms, constant power outages, and swarms of mosquitoes in the swamp's heat.
Frequently asked questions about the Alligator Alcatraz detention center in Florida
Why was the closure of the Alligator Alcatraz detention center ordered?
The closure of Alligator Alcatraz was ordered by a federal judge due to irreversible environmental damage caused in the Everglades, a protected ecosystem. The construction of the facility violated environmental laws and endangered several endangered species. Furthermore, the court ruling responds to lawsuits from environmental groups and the Miccosukee tribe, who claim that the facility was built without adequate environmental review.
What are the conditions inside Alligator Alcatraz?
The conditions inside Alligator Alcatraz have been described as inhuman, with detainees in unventilated tents, collapsed bathrooms, and food infested with worms. Additionally, there were reports of constant electrical failures and swarms of mosquitoes, exacerbating the situation for detainees in an environment that is already hostile due to the heat and humidity of the swamp.
What legal actions is Alligator Alcatraz facing?
Alligator Alcatraz faces multiple legal actions for violations of civil and environmental rights. The ACLU and other organizations have sued the state of Florida for pressuring migrants to sign deportation orders without access to legal representation. There are also environmental lawsuits from the Miccosukee tribe and environmental groups. Additionally, irregularities have been uncovered in the hiring of companies with a history of fraud.
What is the environmental impact of Alligator Alcatraz in the Everglades?
The environmental impact of Alligator Alcatraz in the Everglades is significant, as the construction of the center altered the soil's ability to absorb water and increased the runoff of chemicals into protected areas. This has caused damage to the habitat of endangered wildlife and has forced the migration of species. The installation also violated basic environmental regulations, which has led to strong criticisms and legal actions.
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