DeSantis Defiant After Judge Orders Shutdown of Florida’s Controversial ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ Facility

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is pushing back hard against a federal court ruling that orders the closure of the state’s high-security immigration detention center, known as “Alligator Alcatraz,” located in Ochopee, Florida. The judge’s decision, which mandates the facility be dismantled within 60 days, has triggered a wave of political and legal resistance from state officials.

DeSantis, speaking at a press conference shortly after the ruling was announced, accused the judge of pursuing a political agenda from the bench rather than interpreting the law. “This was not a surprise to us,” the governor said. “We knew this judge wasn’t going to give us a fair hearing. This was a pre-scripted outcome by an activist judge intent on stopping immigration enforcement.”

The order was issued by U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams, who was appointed during the Obama administration. In an 82-page opinion, Williams cited violations of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), arguing that the facility posed a significant threat to protected wildlife habitats, particularly that of the endangered Florida panther. The ruling mandates that the facility cease accepting new detainees and begin removing structures such as lighting systems, fencing, waste facilities, and generators.

Environmental advocates and representatives from the Miccosukee Tribe were key in filing the legal challenge, claiming that the detention center was harming the surrounding Everglades ecosystem. “This development has already caused irreversible damage,” the court document reads. “It contributes to the destruction of endangered habitats and increased mortality among native species.”

But state officials are rejecting the environmental justification, alleging the ruling is part of a broader strategy to block immigration enforcement. “This land has been in use for over a decade,” said Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary at the Department of Homeland Security. “This ruling is more about politics than preservation. It’s about stopping the removal of dangerous individuals—gang members, violent criminals, traffickers—from our communities.”

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier echoed those sentiments, stating, “This decision won’t stop us. Alligator Alcatraz remains fully operational, and our mission to protect Floridians through enforcement continues.”

To underscore that point, Governor DeSantis announced that the state had already prepared a contingency plan in anticipation of such a ruling. He revealed that a second detention facility—nicknamed the “Deportation Depot”—is under development in Baker County, just outside Jacksonville.

“This isn’t just about Ochopee,” DeSantis said. “Because of the success we’ve had, we’re expanding. The Deportation Depot will add capacity for another 2,000 detainees. It’s located near a major airport, making transportation and removal more efficient.”

Critics of the expansion argue that the new facility could raise similar environmental concerns, but DeSantis dismissed those claims, noting the site has been used for aviation and industrial purposes for decades. “These complaints are less about the environment and more about stopping any kind of immigration enforcement that works,” he said.

Judge Williams, in her ruling, emphasized that the Everglades are a national treasure and have long enjoyed bipartisan support for preservation. “Every Florida governor, senator, and countless leaders have pledged to protect this ecosystem,” she wrote.

However, DeSantis sees the legal battle as part of a much larger national debate. He framed the closure order as a direct attempt to undercut state-level efforts to support federal immigration laws. “Florida is stepping up where the federal government has failed in the past. We’re coordinating with the Trump administration to enforce immigration laws and remove illegal aliens from not just Florida, but the entire country.”

As of now, roughly 400 detainees remain at Alligator Alcatraz. Their fate—whether they will be relocated, released, or deported—remains uncertain and depends on the legal appeal Florida is expected to file in the coming days.

Governor DeSantis remained resolute. “We’re not backing down. We’re confident in our position, and we will not be deterred from doing what’s right for the people of this state.