By MIKE SCHNEIDER and KATE PAYNE, Associated Press

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — A federal judge in Miami has refused to pause her order requiring the winding down of the immigration detention center in the Florida Everglades known as “Alligator Alcatraz” while the federal government appeals her ruling .

Attorneys for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said in their request for a stay that U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams’ order last week, if carried out, would disrupt the federal government’s ability to enforce immigration laws. The judge denied their request late Thursday.

Environmental groups and the Miccosukee Tribe, whose lawsuit led to the judge’s ruling, had opposed the request for a stay.

The judge said in last week’s order that she expected the population of the facil

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