Tallahassee, FL – Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is drawing a hard line against a federal judge’s ruling that ordered the closure of a controversial immigration detention center widely known by locals as “Alligator Alcatraz.” The facility, located in Ochopee near the edge of the Everglades, has become a flashpoint in the broader national debate over illegal immigration, judicial power, and state sovereignty.

The judge’s ruling, delivered in an 82-page opinion by U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams, an appointee of former President Barack Obama, requires the state to stop admitting new detainees and dismantle the facility within 60 days. But DeSantis made clear in a fiery press conference that Florida will not be backing down.

DeSantis Slams ‘Activist Judge’

“This was not something that was unexpected,” DeSantis said, standing before a crowd of supporters in Tallahassee. “This is a judge that was not going to give us a fair shake. This was preordained. Very much an activist judge that is trying to do policy from the bench.”

The governor accused the federal judiciary of overreach, framing the decision as part of a larger battle between conservative-led states and progressive federal appointees. “This is not going to deter us,” DeSantis continued. “We are going to continue working on deportations and advancing that mission. We are not abandoning the people of Florida, and we are not abandoning the rule of law.”

DeSantis hinted that his administration had prepared for this ruling in advance, setting up a “back-up plan” that would ensure Florida continues its aggressive deportation policies even if the Ochopee site is shut down. He declined to provide specifics but suggested that other facilities and state-led initiatives would be expanded.

Judge Cites Environmental Harm

Judge Williams’ ruling leaned heavily on the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), siding with the Miccosukee Tribe and several environmental advocacy groups who argued that the construction and operation of “Alligator Alcatraz” was wreaking havoc on fragile ecosystems.

Williams wrote that the detention center’s infrastructure — industrial lighting, fencing, sewage facilities, and heavy equipment — posed “irreparable harm in the form of habitat loss and increased mortality to endangered species in the area,” with particular concern for the Florida panther.

Her order requires the state to dismantle the facility, remove lighting and generators, and restore the site’s natural environment within two months. To environmental activists, the ruling is a major victory. To state leaders, however, it represents yet another case of politics disguised as environmental stewardship.

Florida Officials Blast the Ruling

“This ruling from an activist judge ignores the fact that this land has already been developed for a decade,” said Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin in a statement. “It is another attempt to prevent the President and the State of Florida from fulfilling the American people’s mandate to remove the worst of the worst — gang members, murderers, pedophiles, terrorists, and rapists — from our country.”

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier echoed the sentiment, calling the ruling “a dangerous precedent” that prioritizes “speculative environmental concerns” over public safety and national security. “Our state has every right to defend its citizens from violent offenders who should not be in this country to begin with,” Uthmeier said.

‘Alligator Alcatraz’ at the Center of Controversy

The Ochopee facility, nicknamed “Alligator Alcatraz” by critics and supporters alike due to its swampy, remote location, has been central to Florida’s immigration enforcement strategy. The site was originally developed on previously cleared land and retrofitted into a high-security detention complex.

Supporters argue that its remote setting made it ideal for housing high-risk detainees while minimizing risks to surrounding communities. The facility has been credited by state officials with streamlining deportations of violent offenders and repeat immigration violators.

Opponents, however, have long claimed the site was poorly planned, environmentally damaging, and inhumane for detainees. The Miccosukee Tribe, whose ancestral lands border the area, has argued for years that the project disrupts their way of life and threatens the Everglades ecosystem.

DeSantis Frames It as a Fight for State Sovereignty

For DeSantis, the fight over “Alligator Alcatraz” is about more than immigration enforcement — it’s about state sovereignty and resisting federal overreach.

“Florida will not be dictated to by activist judges who think they can legislate from the bench,” he declared. “We will use every tool at our disposal to keep Floridians safe and enforce the law. No court ruling will change that.”

The governor’s remarks reflect a broader strategy he has pursued throughout his administration: casting Florida as a bulwark against progressive federal policies. Whether on immigration, pandemic restrictions, or education policy, DeSantis has built his political brand around resistance to Washington, D.C.

Legal and Political Fallout

The legal battle over the facility is almost certain to escalate. Florida’s attorney general is expected to appeal Judge Williams’ ruling, potentially setting the stage for a showdown in higher courts. Some legal experts say the case could ultimately reach the Supreme Court, where questions about environmental law, state power, and immigration enforcement would collide.

Politically, the controversy may work to DeSantis’ advantage. His defiance plays well with conservative voters in Florida and across the country who see federal judges as obstacles to strong immigration enforcement. At the same time, critics argue his stance undermines the rule of law and risks millions in taxpayer dollars if the state is found in violation of federal court orders.

Environmentalists Applaud, Opponents Cry Foul

Environmental groups and tribal leaders celebrated the decision as a long-awaited victory. “This is a step forward in protecting the Everglades and preserving the habitat of endangered species,” said one spokesperson for the Sierra Club. “The detention center never should have been built there in the first place.”

But immigration hardliners see the case differently. “This ruling prioritizes panthers over people,” said one Florida lawmaker. “Our communities are being threatened by violent criminals who never should have been here, and the courts are more worried about the swamp.”

The Road Ahead

As the 60-day clock ticks down, Florida faces a pivotal decision: comply with the ruling and begin dismantling “Alligator Alcatraz,” or openly defy the federal order and risk a constitutional crisis.

DeSantis has made it clear where he stands, but whether his administration can actually resist a federal injunction remains to be seen. For now, the governor’s message is defiance.

“We are not backing down,” he reiterated. “We will continue to protect the people of Florida, and no activist judge will stop us.”