• A federal judge has ordered the closure of Florida's controversial immigration detention center known as 'Alligator Alcatraz.'
• The facility, initially set up with a budget of $218 million, has faced numerous legal challenges and reports of poor conditions.
• Florida could incur immediate costs of $15 million to $20 million from the shutdown, with similar costs anticipated for potential future reopening.
• Environmental concerns have been raised due to the facility's location in sensitive wetlands.
• Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is preparing to open another detention facility amid ongoing legal battles.

A federal court has ordered the closure of Florida's immigration detention center known as “Alligator Alcatraz,” which has been under scrutiny for numerous operational issues and allegations of unsanitary conditions. US District Judge Kathleen Williams affirmed her decision to wind down operations at the facility, which has cost the state approximately $218 million to set up, according to SCMP, Le Monde, HuffPost, and The Hill.

As a result of the closure, Florida faces immediate losses estimated between $15 million and $20 million, with similar costs expected for reinstatement should operations resume. The state had invested in repurposing a remote training airport into a detention center, but reports indicate that the facility has been plagued by health hazards, including inadequate sanitation and limited access to legal resources, according to Le Monde and HuffPost.

Officials reported that as of late August, the population of detainees had already begun to dwindle, coinciding with a directive from the court to halt operations. Kevin Guthrie, head of Florida's Division of Emergency Management, stated that the facility would likely operate with "zero individuals" shortly, according to SCMP and The Hill.

Environmental assessments have further complicated the facility's future, as Judge Williams affirmed that the detention center presents risks to the habitat of endangered species in the Florida Everglades. The judge's ruling highlights that the state did not satisfactorily demonstrate the necessity of housing detainees at this specific location, raising concerns over adhering to federal environmental laws, according to Le Monde and The Hill.

Governor Ron DeSantis has indicated plans to open another immigration detention site, dubbed the “Deportation Depot,” within existing state facilities, preparing for a continuation of high-capacity immigration detention, as challenged by civil rights groups that have cited various legal concerns regarding the operations at Alligator Alcatraz. These groups have highlighted issues such as lack of access to legal representation and unhealthy living conditions for detainees, according to Le Monde, HuffPost, and The Hill.