In a landmark decision on Thursday, a U.S. District Court issued a preliminary injunction against the expansion of the Alligator Alcatraz immigration detention facility, located in Florida’s Big Cypress National Preserve. Citing non-compliance with federal environmental laws, Judge Kathleen Williams ruled that the construction proceeded without the necessary environmental assessments, despite the area being a focal point of a $20 billion restoration effort for the Everglades.

The facility, which began operations in June 2025, currently houses approximately 900 detainees but has a capacity for up to 4,000. The rapid construction of the detention center, completed in just eight days, sparked legal actions from environmental groups and local tribes. Friends of the Everglades and the Center for Biological Diversity filed a lawsuit in June, followed by the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida in July, highlighting the potential environmental harm and disruption to tribal lands.

The plaintiffs emphasized the adverse effects on the ecosystem, including increased runoff, light pollution threatening the endangered Florida bonneted bat, and potential habitat destruction for the Florida panther. The site’s historical significance dates back to the 1960s and 70s when it was initially proposed for a massive jetport, a plan which was ultimately abandoned due to environmental concerns.

In her ruling, Judge Williams found that the project violates the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), which mandates thorough environmental impact studies for major federal actions. The judge’s order halts any further expansion at the detention center, including the addition of new infrastructure or detainees. It also mandates the removal of recent installations such as temporary fencing and industrial lighting within 60 days to mitigate impact and restore tribal access.

The facility had been constructed with the assurance of federal funding through a $600 million detention support grant provided by the federal government to the Florida Division of Emergency Management. This ruling not only puts a freeze on expanding the facility but also serves as a significant checkpoint for federal compliance with environmental protection standards in government projects.