A federal appeals court has temporarily halted a lower court's order to close the controversial immigration detention facility known as "Alligator Alcatraz" in the Florida Everglades. On Thursday, the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued a 2-1 ruling that allows the facility to continue operations while an appeal is pending.

The ruling comes in response to a preliminary injunction issued by U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams, which required the state of Florida and the federal government to wind down operations at the facility within 60 days. The appeals court granted a stay on this injunction, allowing the facility to remain open for the time being.

Judge Barbara Lagoa, who authored the majority opinion, expressed skepticism about the lower court's authority to mandate the dismantling of the facility. "It is entirely unclear to us... how the district court concluded that it could order the proactive dismantling of the Facility by way of a mandatory preliminary injunction," Lagoa wrote. Judge Elizabeth Branch joined Lagoa in the majority opinion.

The lawsuit against the state and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was initiated by environmental groups and the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians. They argued that the facility's construction did not comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), which requires federal agencies to assess the environmental impacts of their actions. The plaintiffs claimed that the facility could harm the wetlands and endangered species in the Everglades, as well as the tribe's water and food supply.

In her ruling, Judge Williams had ordered that basic utilities and infrastructure at the facility be removed, but the appeals court's decision blocks this requirement. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis confirmed that the facility remains operational, stating, "The mission continues on immigration enforcement."

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier hailed the ruling as a victory, asserting that it protects the state's interests and aligns with President Trump's agenda. He stated, "The 11th Circuit not only blocked Judge Williams’ order to close Alligator Alcatraz, but they blocked her from proceeding with the case until the appeal is complete."

In dissent, Judge Adalberto Jordan argued that the majority ignored critical evidence and the lower court's findings regarding potential irreparable harm to the environment and the Miccosukee Tribe. He emphasized that the facility's operations should be subject to federal environmental review due to the involvement of federal agencies.

The detention center, which has the capacity to hold 2,000 detainees, was under construction to expand to 4,000 when the district court halted the project. Built in just eight days on an old airport site, the facility has faced criticism for its conditions, including reports of unsanitary living situations and inadequate food.

Despite the ongoing legal battles, Governor DeSantis is pushing forward with plans for additional immigration detention facilities in Florida, including a new site dubbed "Deportation Depot." The controversy surrounding Alligator Alcatraz continues as the appeals process unfolds.