Governor DeSantis Defies Judge's Order to Halt Operations at 'Alligator Alcatraz': 'We're Not Gonna Be Deterred'

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has responded defiantly to U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams' ruling halting operations at Alligator Alcatraz by saying that his administration "will not be deterred" by the order.

Speaking at a news conference in Panama City, DeSantis introduced the subject noting that "we had a judge try to upset the apple cart with respect to our deportation and detainee center in south Florida at Alligator Alcatraz."

He then continued:

"This was not something that was unexpected. This was a judge that was not going to give us a fair shake, this was preordained. It's an act from this judge that is trying to do policy from the bench. This is not going to deter us. We're going to keep working on the deportations, advancing that mission"

DeSantis went on to say that he's confident that "we're totally in the right on this" since "we're leading the state efforts to help the Trump administration actually enforce the law to remove these illegal aliens from not just Florida but from our country." He also took the opportunity to say that he'd be doubling down on efforts with the recently-announced "Deportation Depot."

Williams issued a temporary injunction on Thursday, requiring Florida authorities to begin dismantling parts of the Alligator Alcatraz facility—including temporary fencing, lighting, and generators—within 60 days, and to conduct environmental studies before further work proceeds. The court cited risks to the surrounding habitat, including the reduction of 2,000 acres of land used by Florida panthers and loss of access to trails for members of the Miccosukee Tribe.

The injunction stems from a June 27 lawsuit filed by Friends of the Everglades, the Center for Biological Diversity, and the Miccosukee Tribe. The plaintiffs argued that the construction and operation of the detention center violated environmental regulations and failed to consult stakeholders or assess risks.

The case is not the only one Alligator Alcatraz is facing, as Fort Myers News-Press points out. In another case focusing on plaintiffs legal and civil rights, U.S. District Judge Rodolfo Ruiz ruled earlier this week the matter should move to a different court while also declaring part of the lawsuit moot.

At the heart of that case is whether the government violated detainees' rights to due process and legal counsel, as civil rights attorneys have said the remote Everglades facility made it nearly impossible for immigrants to speak confidentially with lawyers or even find out which immigration court can hear their cases.