The court is abusing their power. At least that’s what the Trump team and their allies believe.
Especially after a federal judge sent an eyebrow-raising direct order to President Trump and Governor DeSantis.
DeSantis and Trump Stand Firm Against Illegal Immigration Despite Leftist Judge’s Ruling
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, in lockstep with President Donald Trump’s administration, has transformed a remote airfield in the Florida Everglades into a formidable detention center dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz.” This facility, designed to house up to 5,000 illegal immigrants, represents a no-nonsense approach to tackling the crisis of illegal immigration and violent crime flooding our nation. However, a federal judge’s recent ruling threatens to derail these efforts, showcasing the left’s relentless push to undermine border security.
Earlier this year, Governor DeSantis issued an emergency order to repurpose the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport into a detention center capable of holding thousands of illegal migrants. This swift action, taken in coordination with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), reflects Florida’s commitment to supporting Trump’s mandate to deport criminal aliens and restore law and order. The facility, surrounded by treacherous swampland teeming with alligators and pythons, sends a clear message: America will not be a safe haven for lawbreakers.
President Trump himself toured the facility on July 1, alongside DeSantis and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, praising its rapid construction and potential to serve as a model for other states. “We’re surrounded by miles of treacherous swampland and the only way out is, really, deportation,” Trump declared, emphasizing the facility’s role in deterring illegal crossings. The site, equipped with over 200 security cameras, 28,000 feet of barbed wire, and 400 security personnel, is a testament to the administration’s resolve to protect American citizens.
Despite these efforts, U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams, a known activist judge, issued a ruling on August 21, ordering the Trump administration to stop sending illegal migrants to “Alligator Alcatraz” and halting all construction on the site. Williams’ 82-page decision claims the facility violates the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), which requires federal agencies to assess the environmental impact of major construction projects. This ruling is nothing more than a thinly veiled attempt to obstruct the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown under the guise of environmental concerns.
The judge’s order mandates that the facility must remove “all generators, gas, sewage, and other waste and waste receptacles that were installed to support this project,” within 60 days, along with industrial lighting and temporary fencing. This demand not only hampers operations but also seeks to grant access to the site for Native American tribe members, further complicating security measures. Such judicial overreach is a direct attack on Florida’s sovereignty and the federal government’s authority to enforce immigration laws.
DeSantis and his administration have been quick to push back. “Operations at Alligator Alcatraz are ongoing and deportations are continuing,” the governor stated defiantly on X, refusing to let an activist judge derail Florida’s mission. His communications director, Alex Lanfranconi, echoed this sentiment, asserting that the ruling “will have no impact on immigration enforcement in Florida. Alligator Alcatraz will remain operational, continuing to serve as a force multiplier to enhance deportation efforts.” The state has already appealed Williams’ ruling, with plans to seek a stay while the legal battle unfolds.
The Trump administration’s immigration policies have been a cornerstone of its agenda since taking office. With ICE currently detaining a record 59,000 migrants nationwide—40% above capacity—the need for facilities like Alligator Alcatraz is undeniable. The administration has set a daily arrest quota of 3,000 illegal immigrants and aims to expand detention capacity to 100,000 beds. Florida’s innovative approach, backed by a $45 billion Senate-approved budget for immigration enforcement, is a critical step toward achieving these goals.
🚨 BREAKING – COUP: Obama Judge Kathleen Williams BANS the Trump Administration from bringing any more criminal illegal aliens to Alligator Alcatraz and orders they start to TEAR DOWN the facility.
This is an ludicrous, outrageous ruling, it must be OVERTURNED IMMEDIATELY. pic.twitter.com/E3TJVzS6Wg
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) August 22, 2025
Critics, including environmental groups like Friends of the Everglades and the Center for Biological Diversity, argue that the facility threatens the fragile Everglades ecosystem. They claim construction violates NEPA, ignoring the fact that the facility is state-run and operates under Florida’s emergency authority.
“The suggestion there is no environmental impact is absurd,” said Paul Schwiep, an attorney for the environmental groups, during a court hearing. Yet, these groups conveniently overlook the billions Florida has invested in Everglades restoration, as DeSantis has pointed out, dismissing their lawsuits as “routine delay tactics.”
The Miccosukee Tribe has also joined the opposition, claiming the facility disrupts sacred land and could contaminate nearby water sources. While their concerns deserve consideration, the state’s partnership with ICE ensures that Alligator Alcatraz operates within legal bounds. Florida’s attorney, Jesse Panuccio, clarified in court that the facility is entirely state-managed, rendering NEPA inapplicable. The federal government has also distanced itself from direct funding, further undermining the plaintiffs’ case.
The left’s outrage extends beyond environmental claims. Democrats and immigration advocates have decried the facility as “inhumane,” citing alleged conditions like extreme heat, mosquito infestations, and limited access to showers. The ACLU of Florida has gone so far as to call it a “direct assault on humanity,” filing a separate lawsuit claiming violations of detainees’ constitutional rights. These accusations are exaggerated, as the facility boasts 24/7 air conditioning and robust security measures to ensure safety.
Official records reveal that nearly half of Alligator Alcatraz’s detainees, including some Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients, lack criminal records, a fact the left uses to paint the facility as cruel.
However, Trump has emphasized that the center targets “some of the most vicious people on the planet,” highlighting its role in detaining dangerous criminals. With only 30% of detainees having criminal convictions, the facility prioritizes those who pose a threat to public safety, aligning with the administration’s focus on removing criminal aliens.
DeSantis is not stopping with Alligator Alcatraz. On August 14, he announced plans for a second detention center, dubbed “Deportation Depot,” at the Baker Correctional Institution in North Florida, with a capacity for 1,300 detainees. “I would ask every other governor to do the exact same thing,” Noem urged, noting ongoing talks with states like Indiana and Nebraska to replicate Florida’s model.
The rapid construction of Alligator Alcatraz, completed in just eight days, is a feat of efficiency and determination. Costing an estimated $450 million annually, the facility is a worthwhile investment in national security, with Florida seeking partial reimbursement from FEMA.
The state’s use of emergency powers to bypass bureaucratic red tape has drawn criticism from Democrats, who question the legality of such actions. Yet, these measures are necessary to address the overwhelming influx of illegal immigrants under the Biden administration’s failed policies.
