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FLORIDA - A federal judge’s order to shut down a controversial Florida detention center has sparked a defiant response from state officials.
On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams, an Obama-era appointee, directed Florida to halt operations at the Alligator Alcatraz facility in the Everglades, citing environmental concerns, and to remove fencing, lighting, and generators within 60 days.
Florida appealed the ruling to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta on Friday.
Speaking in Panama City on Friday, Governor Ron DeSantis declared that the state would not be deterred from enforcing President Donald Trump’s immigration policies.
He emphasized Florida’s commitment to deporting undocumented immigrants, particularly those with existing removal orders, through state-federal partnerships like the 287(g) agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
DeSantis also highlighted the state’s proactive stance, noting that Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins was sent to California to secure the extradition of an immigrant from India who allegedly caused a fatal semi-truck crash, killing three people.
Florida is also preparing to open a new detention facility in Baker County, west of Jacksonville, designed to hold up to 1,300 detainees initially, with capacity for 2,000.
The state’s appeal will determine the future of Alligator Alcatraz, but DeSantis remains firm on continuing immigration enforcement efforts.