Court reopens ‘Alcatraz’ for immigrants

Federal money ‘not used’ in construction

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A federal appeals court on Thursday allowed the federal migrant detention centre in Florida known as “Alligator Alcatraz” to resume operations, blocking a lower court ruling that ordered the facility to stop taking new detainees and ordered a halt to construction work.

The 11th US Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in a split opinion that President Donald Trump's administration is likely to prevail in a legal battle with two environmental groups that say the facility is endangering the Everglades and its wildlife. Two judges sided with the Trump administration, and one judge dissented.

The majority ruled that the project —which has been funded by the state of Florida — did not trigger the kind of environmental review needed for federally funded construction projects.

Although both Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem have said the federal government will pay for expanding the detention facility, there is no evidence that federal funds have been used for construction, the court ruled.