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US judge orders shutdown of Trump's 'Alligator Alcatraz' detention centre

August 22, 2025

A federal judge has ruled that the Trump administration's "Alligator Alcatraz" migrant detention center in Florida must significantly scale back operations, prohibiting new detainees and ordering the dismantling of key infrastructure. Judge Kathleen Williams issued a preliminary injunction citing irreparable environmental damage to the Florida Everglades, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The ruling requires the facility to shut down essential utilities including generators and waste receptors within 60 days, effectively crippling its operations.

Who is affected

  • Migrants currently detained at "Alligator Alcatraz" and potential future detainees
  • Florida Everglades ecosystem and its endangered species
  • The Trump administration and state of Florida government officials
  • Environmental groups including Friends of the Everglades
  • Local residents who had filed complaints about the facility

What action is being taken

  • Judge Kathleen Williams is enforcing a preliminary injunction to restrict the facility's operations
  • The court is prohibiting any new detainees from being brought to the center
  • All generators, gas, sewage, and waste receptors are being ordered to shut down
  • The Trump administration is being given 60 days to wind down operations
  • The state of Florida is actively appealing the judge's ruling

Why it matters

  • The facility represents a centerpiece of Trump's immigration enforcement strategy
  • The ruling prioritizes protection of the Florida Everglades, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • The decision affirms that environmental protection laws apply to government projects
  • The detention center could potentially undo billions of dollars invested in Everglades restoration
  • The case establishes that even high-level government initiatives must comply with environmental regulations

What's next

  • The Trump administration must comply with the 60-day timeline to wind down operations
  • The state of Florida's appeal against the ruling will proceed through the courts
  • The full lawsuit brought by environmental groups will continue to be heard

Read full article from source: BBC

US judge orders shutdown of Trump's 'Alligator Alcatraz' detention centre