Federal judge blocks Florida from further expansion of 'Alligator Alcatraz' immigration detention facility

A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction on Thursday blocking Florida from further expanding the "Alligator Alcatraz" immigration detention center built in the middle of the Florida Everglades.

U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams' injunction formalized the temporary halt she had ordered two weeks ago.

Witnesses continued to testify over multiple days in a hearing to determine whether construction of the facility should stop until the case is decided.

Advocates have argued that the expansion of the facility violated environmental laws.

LAWSUITS THREATEN TO UPEND ALLIGATOR ALCATRAZ OPERATIONS

Environmental groups and the Miccosukee Tribe said that further construction and operations at the facility s...