Order determines stoppage to expand prison and suspend transfer of detainees. Federal Judge Acts the request of environmentalists who filed a lawsuit due to the project risks to nature.
A Federal Judge of the United States ordered on Thursday (21/08) the stoppage of the construction works of the Detention Center for Immigrants that was known as “Alcatraz dos Jacarés” and prohibited the sending of more detainees to the site.
The detention center is in Florida and was promoted by US President Donald Trump and Governor Ron Desantis. The preliminary decision was made by Miami Kathleen Williams’ judge in the context of an action brought by environmental groups, which argue that the installation is causing damage to the wild nature of Everglades.
Detention Center was rushed in an old airport | Rebecca Blackwell/AP Photo/Picture Alliance
The judge also determined the transfer of detainees, in addition to the removal of equipment and the support infrastructure in the remote installation. According to the decision, generators, sewage system, gas and other waste that were installed on site should be removed within 60 days, as well as fences and additional lighting.
Williams argues that the state of Florida and the Federal Government have ignored a law that requires the evaluation of environmental impact for the construction of facilities of this size. “The project causes irreparable damage to the form of habitat loss and increased mortality of endangered species in the region,” he wrote.
The Government of Florida, which builds the place in a partner as the US federal government, filed an appeal against the decision.
“Poil two Jacarés”
The detention center is 60 kilometers from Miami, inside the Everglades National Park – a swamp region that is home of alligators, crocodiles and pythons. The nickname “Alcatraz dos Jigarés” is a reference to the famous prison on an island in California and was deactivated in 1963.
According to the authorities, the complex, which was built in a former training airport, has an estimated cost of $ 450 million per year (about $ 2.4 billion) and can house 5,000 detainees. The place was inaugurated in July and received a visit from Trump at the time. The prison should serve as a model for other detention centers.
The detention center was built in just eight days. Within the large white tents of the complex, bunk rows are surrounded by cells closed by fences. Since its inauguration, he has been the target of allegations of poor conditions. Detainees report that they spend whole days without seeing the sun or bathing and criticizing the lack of hygiene and medical care. In addition, spoiled food would be served on site.
Originally published by DW on 08/22/2025
Source: https://www.ocafezinho.com/2025/08/23/juiza-barra-expansao-de-alcatraz-dos-jacares-nos-eua/
