Alabama Joins 21 Other States Backing Florida’s Challenge to Alligator Alcatraz Court Ruling
Brief supports Florida’s appeal of judge’s order to dismantle the facility
Indiana Attorney General Theodore E. Rokita is leading a coalition of 22 States in filing a friend-of-the-court brief supporting Florida in a heated legal battle over its controversial Everglades detention center, known as “Alligator Alcatraz.”
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall was one of the 21 Attorneys General who signed the amicus brief in support of the Indiana AG.
The brief argues against a federal judge’s decision that orders the State to halt construction and dismantle key parts of the detention center, including fences, lights, and generators. It asks the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals to stay the lower court’s ruling.
AG Marshall called the injunction unjust:
“Florida, and our law enforcement community, urgently need this critical detention facility to house the most dangerous illegal immigrants,” he said. “In a shocking decision, a district court judge declared that states must comply with federal environmental reporting requirements that apply only to the federal government. Worse, the court ordered Florida to halt further construction of the facility and tear it down.”
He added,
“But Congress did not give federal courts the authority to intrude on these issues of law and order. The States’ authority to ensure public safety must not be held hostage to judicial overreach.”
The brief challenges the court’s claim that federal environmental rules—the National Environmental Policy Act—apply to this facility. The coalition argues the facility was built on State land, with State funds, and therefore should not be bound by rules meant for federal agencies.
Joining Indiana in the brief are Attorneys General from Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
‘Alligator Alcatraz’ is an immigration detention center in Florida’s Everglades. Critics say it sprung up too fast and broke environmental laws, while civil rights groups warn about harsh conditions for detainees.
In late August, U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams issued a preliminary injunction. It bars new construction, bans transfer of more detainees, and orders removal of some infrastructure within 60 days. Environmentalists argue the facility threatens protected wetlands, water sources, and endangered species.
Florida has appealed the injunction. Governor Ron DeSantis has said the ruling wouldn’t stop the State’s immigration enforcement. “We’re not going to be deterred; we’re totally in the right on this,” DeSantis said. “But I would also note, because of the success of Alligator Alcatraz, there’s demand for more.”
Florida also plans a new detention center in Baker County, dubbed ‘Deportation Depot.’
The full brief is available HERE.
