USA Judge Halts 'Alligator Alcatraz' Over Everglades Threat

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A dramatic twist in the saga of 'Alligator Alcatraz' unfolded on Thursday as U.S. District Judge Kathleen Mary Williams slammed the brakes on further construction of the controversial detention centre.

 

Following two intense days of testimony, the judge granted a temporary restraining order, suggesting possible environmental damage to Florida’s precious Everglades.

 

Although the current facility can still accommodate detainees, U.S. District Judge Kathleen Mary Williams has severely restricted any further development for the next 14 days. This move offers a reprieve for environmental groups and the Miccosukee Tribe, who have fiercely contested the project. The centre sits just 50 miles from Miami, deep within the Everglades, posing a threat to endangered species like the Florida panther and sacred lands like the Miccosukee.

 

Miccosukee Chairman Talbert Cypress voiced relief, hailing the pause as a crucial step in defending their homeland. In contrast, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier blasted the ruling, insisting it fails to halt operations entirely and vowing to challenge the decision. The battle lines are drawn, with both sides primed for further legal skirmishes.

 

The controversy revolves around the absence of environmental impact assessments, which plaintiffs contend were essential prior to the construction of the centre. State officials assert the facility sidesteps federal environmental laws, adding another layer to the heated legal debate.

 

The facility, constructed with federal funds but run by the state, straddles a murky jurisdiction, leaving courts and officials perplexed.

 

Governor Ron DeSantis claims Florida is executing federal immigration policies, with promises of reimbursement left unfulfilled. This adds complexity to an already fraught situation, once considered a key component of the US president's ambitious deportation plans.

 

Alligator Alcatraz’s lightning-fast creation transformed the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport into a massive, 3,000-capacity detention site. The facility’s proximity to crucial tribal lands has sparked fierce resistance, with the Miccosukee Tribe joining litigation efforts last month to protect their historical and cultural heritage.

 

As court hearings continue next week, eyes will remain fixed on Miami to see how these complex legal and environmental issues are resolved. The halt on construction may be temporary, but it underscores significant regional tensions and unresolved questions about jurisdiction and environmental stewardship.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from ABC News 2025-08-08

 

[Tug]

Aww just tell cosplay Barbie to set one up in her gravel pit they could call it the gravel pit.it would also titillate the trumpers .

[bamnutsak]

1 hour ago, Tug said:

Aww just tell cosplay Barbie

 

She gets savaged in this week's South Park (S27E02).