A Federal Appeals court tossed the State of Florida’s “Alligator Alcatraz” alien detention center a lifeline on Thursday after a lower court federal judge last month ordered the facility’s closure. As a result, the number of immigrant detainees at the facility dropped from a high of around 1,000 to below 200. “Alligator Alcatraz” was designed to house up to 3,000.
Federal District Court Judge Kathleen M. Williams ruled on Aug. 21, 2025, in favor of the Miccosukee Tribe and environmentalists because of the lack of environmental reviews before it was built.
(You can read that judge’s order HERE).
However, on September 4, 2025, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit in Atlanta granted the state and federal governments’ petition to pause last month’s lower-court ruling, allowing “Alligator Alcatraz” to remain open while the case played out in the courts.
(You can read that ruling HERE).
Officials of the State of Florida, which built and operated the facility, were quick to declare victory. Governor Ron DeSantis posted a video on social media promising that “the mission” would continue at Alligator Alcatraz, blasted “the media” and a “leftist judge,” and declared that “Florida will keep leading the way.”
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, who had been found in contempt during the legal battle over the lock-up, declared Thursday’s ruling “a win for Florida and President Trump’s Agenda!”
The State of Florida told the Appeals Court it would cost $15 million to $20 million to dismantle “Alligator Alcatraz,” and then just as much to rebuild if it succeeded on appeal, which appeared to sway the court in issuing its ruling to allow it to remain open.
What are your thoughts about allowing “Alligator Alcatraz” to remain open?
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Abrazos,
Jack Beavers
We just got to Wally World, and it's closed for the season! I told the kids to check the website before we left, but I guess they forgot. Alligator Alley, here we come... Hey! Don't touch the radio!
Great news ! That Alligator Alcatraz is a good solution, to my way of thinking!
Thank you for covering this for your subscribers.