Florida shuts down ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ immigration detention center after lawsuits

The mass immigration detention facility known as “Alligator Alcatraz” in the Florida Everglades ceased operations on June 25 after a year of litigation by the environmental law firm Earthjustice and partner groups. Earthjustice sued the Trump administration and the state of Florida for building the center without required environmental reviews, alleging violations of the National Environmental Policy Act and other statutes, and later obtained records showing the federal government had provided $608 million in funding.

Governor Ron DeSantis announced that ICE had transferred all detainees to other locations, saying the move was tied to the hurricane season. ICE officials said the relocation was for safety but did not clarify whether the facility will reopen. The shutdown removes a threat to the Everglades ecosystem, including endangered species such as the Florida panther, and to nearby Miccosukee tribal villages. Earthjustice and its partners say the legal fight will continue, targeting additional alleged federal law violations.

The closure marks a significant win for environmental and immigrant‑rights advocates and may influence future immigration‑detention policy in the United States.