A federal appeals court has ruled that the controversial illegal alien detention center in Florida, known as Alligator Alcatraz, can continue operating while a lawsuit is pending. This decision came on Thursday, blocking a previous order from a federal district court judge who had mandated the facility’s closure.
The case started when environmental groups and an American Indian tribe filed a lawsuit against Florida and the Trump administration, claiming violations of federal environmental laws. Last month, a judge appointed by President Obama issued a temporary restraining order to stop the placement of illegal aliens at the facility, which is located at a former airport. However, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals overturned this ruling in a 2-1 decision.
The appeals court stated that the plaintiffs did not present a strong enough case to support their claims. The judges emphasized the federal government’s significant interest in addressing illegal immigration, labeling it a matter of national security and public safety. They argued that halting operations at the detention center would not serve the public interest.
Both Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and the Department of Homeland Security celebrated the court’s decision. The Department of Homeland Security expressed that the lawsuit was not genuinely about environmental concerns but rather an effort by “open-borders activists” to obstruct law enforcement from deporting individuals deemed dangerous.
In a video statement, DeSantis reassured supporters that Alligator Alcatraz remains operational, countering the narrative that it was closing down. He stated that illegal aliens continue to be detained and returned to their home countries, asserting that Florida is committed to supporting federal immigration enforcement efforts.
This ruling is part of a broader trend, as the Trump administration has collaborated with various states to establish similar detention centers across the country, including facilities with unique names like the Cornhusker Clink in Nebraska and the Speedway Slammer in Indiana.
