A judge has ordered the halt of construction of a Florida detention facility Donald Trump had nicknamed “Alligator Alcatraz” and where he claimed would be held some of the most “menacing” and “vicious” people on the planet.
The facility, operated by the state and with its costs reimbursed by the federal government, opened two months ago with the intention of housing undocumented migrants rounded up as part of the president’s immigration crackdown.
It is located in the Florida Everglades, something Mr Trump said made it the ideal place to hold the detainees.
Yet, its location near Big Cypress National Preserve was something seized on by environmental activists who filed a lawsuit arguing the site threatens the environmentally sensitive wetlands. They are home to many protected plants and animals.
“We’re pleased that the judge saw the urgent need to put a pause on additional construction, and we look forward to advancing our ultimate goal of protecting the unique and imperilled Everglades ecosystem from further damage caused by this mass detention facility,” said Eve Samples, executive director at Friends of the Everglades.
At the hearing in Miami on Thursday, US District Judge Kathleen Williams issued an order halting new construction for the next week but did not suspend operations at the facility.
A spokesperson for Republican Governor Ron DeSantis denounced the ruling but said it “will have no impact on immigration enforcement in Florida”.
“Alligator Alcatraz will remain operational, continuing to serve as a force multiplier to enhance deportation efforts,” said spokesperson Alex Lanfranconi.
Mr Trump made a crackdown on immigration a centre part of his campaign for a second term in the Oval Office. Polls show his policies on deportations are largely popular, though not some of his most extreme steps, such as the rounding up of farm workers and day labourers.
Credit: @Basil_TGMD/X
When Mr Trump visited the site at the beginning of July, he told reporters: “It’s known as Alligator Alcatraz, which is very appropriate because I looked outside and that’s not a place I want to go hiking.”
He added: “But very soon, this facility will house some of the most menacing migrants, some of the most vicious people on the planet.”
Mr Trump has also spoken several times of his wish to reopen the original Alcatraz prison, located in the waters off San Francisco and administration officials have toured the facility, which closed as a jail in 1963.
In May, he wrote on Truth Social he was ordering all his staff to work towards reopening the prison to house “America’s most ruthless and violent offenders”.
He added: “For too long, America has been plagued by vicious, violent and repeat Criminal Offenders, the dregs of society, who will never contribute anything other than Misery and Suffering.”
In July, Attorney General Pam Bondi and Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum visited Alcatraz.
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