Judge Blocks Expansion Of ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ Detention Center Citing Environmental Risks, Gov. DeSantis Files Appeal

Judge Blocks Expansion Of ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ Detention Center Citing Environmental Risks, Gov. DeSantis Files Appeal

 

A federal judge has ordered that the Florida detention facility known as “Alligator Alcatraz” can no longer take new detainees or continue construction.

After environmental groups filed a lawsuit alleging violations of the National Environmental Policy Act, U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams issued a preliminary injunction Thursday (Aug. 21), citing significant environmental risks posed by the facility. These include additional paving, high-powered lighting, and frenetic human activity that did not exist before the detention center was built.

Following the ruling, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ administration filed an appeal with the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

The facility, which opened in July, was intended to house up to 3,000 detainees and expand immigration enforcement in Florida.

Thoughts?

[VIA]

Authored by: Aaron Keenan