Speaking on behalf of Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, Communications Director Jeremy Redfern said the state plans to appeal a federal judge's decision to shut down Florida's illegal alien detention center in the Everglades, widely known as "Alligator Alcatraz."
"Just this week, a judge in the same district as Judge Williams refused to hear a case because the Southern District of Florida was the improper venue for suits about Alligator Alcatraz," Redfern said. "Once again, she oversteps her authority, and we will appeal this unlawful decision."
According to a post by Fox News' Bill Melugin, Florida federal judge Kathleen Williams ordered the shutdown of the processing center within 60 days and blocked the state and the Trump administration from transferring any new detainees there, effective immediately.
Melugin added that Williams, an Obama appointee, also ordered the state to remove all generators, gas, sewage, and other items from the center's headquarters. Alligator Alcatraz originally opened in July, but has since been subject to lawsuits from environmental groups, as well as the native Miccosukee Tribe, over its operations.
Florida Democrats have also criticized the facility as being cruel and inhumane. After Williams' ruling, Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried praised the decision through a party release.
"This ruling makes it clear that this shameful detention camp never should have been built in the first place," Fried said.
Fried also demanded that taxpayer dollars from the facility be "returned and reinvested" in affordable housing, property insurance relief, and strengthening public schools.
At a Friday press conference in Panama City, Gov. Ron DeSantis responded to the Williams' ruling, saying it was not unexpected. The governor also opined that he didn't believe Williams was gonna give the state a fair shake.
“This was preordained, very much, an activist judge that is trying to do policy from the bench."This is not going to deter us," DeSantis said, noting deportations would continue as planned.
