'Alligator Alcatraz' construction ordered halted by judge

(NewsNation) — A federal judge has ordered a temporary halt in the construction of the Florida-based migrant detention center known as “Alligator Alcatraz,” as attorneys argue whether the facility violates environmental law.

The facility, which is slated to eventually house up to 5,000 migrants who entered the United States illegally and are being detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, can continue to operate, but workers will be barred from adding any new infrastructure or doing other construction for the next 14 days, the judge ruled.

The decision comes after attorneys representing two conservation groups, as well as the Miccosukee Tribe, argued that the federal government did not follow environmental laws before building the detention center in the Florida Everglades in June.

The two groups returned to court on Thursday and argued for a judge to issue an injunction to cease operations, arguing the Florida Everglades wetlands are home to protected animals and plants and that the facility’s construction reversed billions of dollars’ worth of environmental restoration.

Scott McCurdy, Hunter Leifried, and Creation Leifried take a selfie in front of the Alligator Alcatraz sign at the entrance to the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport on July 10 in Ochopee, Florida. The site is the location of the state-managed immigration detention facility in the Florida Everglades that officials have named “Alligator Alcatraz.” (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

The lawsuit claims the facility essentially ignored a review process required by the National Environmental Policy Act.

“This is a very common-sense law that requires the government to look before it leaps, to analyze the environmental impacts, to do an environmental impact study, to take public comment, to consider alternatives, and none of that was done at so-called ‘Alligator Alcatraz,’” said Eve Samples, executive director of Friends of the Everglades.

After Thursday's hearing, Paul Schwiep, an attorney representing the environmental groups, asked U.S. District Court Judge Kathleen Williams to halt any new construction while a preliminary injunction is argued.

Williams asked Florida attorney Jesse Panuccio if the state would agree to halt construction so that she wouldn’t need to issue the restraining order, the Associated Press reported. The judge pointed out that anything built at the site would likely remain there permanently, regardless of how the case was ultimately decided.

The facility was constructed in just eight days and is being overseen by a state agency. NewsNation previously reported that at least $245 million in contracts have already been signed for vendors to build, open and operate the facility.

State officials anticipate that the facility will require at least $450 million per year to operate. At least 900 migrants are currently being held at the detention center.

This is a developing story. NewsNation will update it as more information becomes available.

The Associated Press contributed reporting to this story.