Appeals Court Rules ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ Can Stay Open

Judge Adalberto Jordan, an Obama appointee, dissented.

“The majority, however, essentially ignores the burden borne by the defendants,” he wrote, “pays only lip service to the abuse of discretion standard, engages in its own factfinding, declines to consider the district court’s determination on irreparable harm, and performs its own balancing of the equities.”

Jordan argued federal involvement — from DHS requests to ICE inspections and promises of reimbursement — was significant enough to require an Environmental Impact Statement.

In a video posted after the ruling, DeSantis declared victory:

“The media was giddy that somehow Alligator Alcatraz was “shutting down,” and we told them that that wasn't true. There have been illegal aliens continuing to be there and being removed and returned to their home country,” the Republican governor said. “We said the mission would continue and I'm pleased to say that the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals has just stayed that ruling and stayed the case."

Not everyone celebrated. Democrats and activists have denounced the decision. State Sen. Shevrin Jones (D-Miami Gardens) blasted the ruling:

“Cruelty is still cruelty, no matter how many courts the Governor runs to,” he wrote on X. “Alligator Alcatraz remains an unlawful, dangerous stunt that wastes taxpayer dollars and tramples on human dignity. That hasn’t changed — and neither has my stance.”

Governor Ron DeSantis has responded to the Circuit Court of Appeals decision on social media.

Watch full video below:

The mission continues at Alligator Alcatraz.

The media was wrong.

The leftist judge has been overturned.

Florida will keep leading the way. pic.twitter.com/oHyqNKxmf3

— Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) September 4, 2025