A federal judge ordered a halt to work for 14 days as she reviews arguments that constructing and running the immigration detention center could negatively impact the environment.
Florida is required to halt construction at an immigration detention facility in the secluded Everglades for 14 days, as ruled by a federal judge on Thursday, providing at least a temporary victory for environmental advocates who claim the facility could severely damage delicate wetlands and endangered species.
Judge Kathleen M. Williams from the Federal District Court in Miami issued a temporary restraining order from the bench, stating that the state cannot add any more lighting, paving, fencing, or other installations at the detention center known as “Alligator Alcatraz.” She indicated that a written order would be forthcoming.
This order is provisional, allowing the judge time to carry on with a hearing related to the issue, which was brought forth in June by several environmental organizations. They contend that the construction of the facility, operated by the state but housing federal immigration detainees, proceeded without the required environmental review mandated by federal law. The groups are requesting a preliminary injunction to halt operations and construction at the site.
In a statement, Alex Lanfranconi, communications director for Governor Ron DeSantis, a Republican, highlighted that detainees will remain in the detention center and that the ruling will have “no impact on immigration enforcement in Florida.”
“Alligator Alcatraz will continue to operate, further enhancing deportation efforts,” Mr. Lanfranconi declared, labeling Judge Williams as an “activist judge.”
Judge Williams took in testimony for a day and a half before reaching her decision from the bench.
On Wednesday, Jessica Namath, an environmental activist and witness for the plaintiffs, testified that she observed numerous trucks transporting what seemed to be fill dirt, as well as a soil compactor, entering the detention center site as recently as last Friday. Her testimony implied that construction activity at the site is ongoing.
State representatives have indicated their intention to increase the detention center’s capacity to 4,000 detainees by the month’s end. They have argued that any construction work and its potential environmental impacts have been minimal.
The hearing will not conclude until next week, as scheduling conflicts prevented the state from presenting its witnesses until then. On Thursday, the plaintiffs requested the government to suspend construction in the meantime. When government attorneys refused to agree to this request, Judge Williams heard arguments for and against the temporary restraining order before issuing her ruling from the bench.
“It’s a temporary yet necessary pause to prevent further damage to this sensitive area, allowing the parties to present their evidence and arguments regarding the request for a preliminary injunction,” stated Paul J. Schwiep, the lead attorney for the plaintiffs.
In June, Judge Williams found James Uthmeier, the state’s Republican attorney general and Mr. DeSantis’s former chief of staff, in civil contempt of court for defying her order in another case that obstructed enforcement of a provision in a state immigration law. Mr. Uthmeier has filed an appeal.
This environmental lawsuit is one of two lodged in federal court against the detention center. The other concerns due process for detainees and the access of immigration attorneys to their clients.
Attorneys for the Department of Homeland Security have attempted to separate themselves from the detention center, arguing that its site and operations are the responsibility of the state.
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