By David Fisher, Mike Schneider and Freida Frisaro | Associated Press
MIAMI — A federal judge on Thursday issued a preliminary injunction halting further expansion of an immigration detention center built in the middle of the Florida Everglades and dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz” that advocates said violated environmental laws.
U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams’ injunction formalized a temporary halt she had ordered two weeks ago as witnesses continued to testify in a multiday hearing to determine whether construction should end until the ultimate resolution of the case.
The state of Florida filed a notice of appeal Thursday night, shortly after the ruling was issued.
“The deportations will continue until morale improves,” DeSantis spokesman Alex Lanfranconi said in response to the jud