Trending Now - Court Upholds 'alligator Alcatraz' Operations, Dismisses Review Request

WHO:

ABC News - The Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams, Friends of the Everglades, Center for Biological Diversity, Eve Samples (executive director of Friends of the Everglades), Judge Nancy Abudu.

Fox News - The Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals.

WHAT:

ABC News - The Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the immigration detention center known as “Alligator Alcatraz” will remain open.

ABC News - The court upheld its earlier decision to block a judge's order for the facility to wind down operations.

ABC News - The majority of the judges stated that the facility did not need to comply with federal environmental law requiring an environmental impact review.

ABC News - Friends of the Everglades and the Center for Biological Diversity plan to continue litigation against the facility.

ABC News - A lawyer for two detainees reported that guards severely beat and pepper-sprayed detainees at the facility.

WHERE:

ABC News - The facility is located in the Florida Everglades.

ABC News - The hearing regarding the case was held in Miami.

WHEN:

ABC News - The appeals court made its decision on April 21st, 2026.

ABC News - U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams issued a preliminary injunction in August 2025.

ABC News - The Everglades detention center was opened in the summer of 2025.

WHY:

ABC News - The facility was opened to support President Trump’s immigration crackdown.

ABC News - The majority of the judges concluded that the facility was constructed and controlled by Florida officials, not the federal government.

HOW:

ABC News - The Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals ruled based on the argument that the facility was built and operated by state officials without federal control.

(UPDATED April 22, 2026 09:23 UTC)

The Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that the immigration detention center known as “Alligator Alcatraz” will remain open, upholding its earlier decision to block a judge's order to wind down operations. The court concluded that the facility, located in the Florida Everglades, was constructed and operated by state officials, not the federal government, and therefore did not need to comply with federal environmental law. Friends of the Everglades and the Center for Biological Diversity plan to continue their litigation against the facility, amid reports of severe mistreatment of detainees by guards.