Florida judge orders closure of “Alligator Alcatraz” migrant centre

The facility, built by Trump in the Everglades, must be dismantled within 60 days due to environmental damage and rights violations

Federal Judge Kathleen Williams of the Southern District Court of Florida has ordered the closure within 60 days of “Alligator Alcatraz”, the migrant detention centre set up last June by the Trump administration. It currently houses around 700 people, detained in conditions that have been heavily criticised by NGOs and local communities.

No new transfers – In the 82-page order, Williams ruled that no more migrants may be brought to the facility until it closes. The state must also completely dismantle the camp within nine weeks. The judge emphasised that the transfer of detainees must be carried out “in a safe, humane and responsible manner”.

Environmental issues and historical legacy – The decision comes after a lawsuit filed by environmental groups and the Miccosukee Indian tribe. According to the court, the facility causes serious and irreparable damage to the Florida Everglades ecosystem, the same ecosystem that led to the blocking of the construction of a large airport in the area in the 1960s. Two weeks ago, Williams had already imposed a halt to a project to expand the camp.

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(Photo: © AndKronos)