Florida appeals judge’s halt to ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ expansion

Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration quickly appealed a federal judge’s ruling Thursday that sided with environmental groups and the Miccosukee Tribe and required winding down operations at a controversial immigrant-detention facility in the Everglades.

The state filed a notice of appealing a preliminary injunction issued by U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams that prevents additional construction and bringing additional detainees to the facility, which the state has dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz.” Williams also ordered the removal within 60 days of temporary fencing, detention-center lighting and such things as generators.

As is common, the notice filed by the state did not detail arguments the DeSantis administration will make at the Atlanta-based 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Will