A federal judge has delivered a significant ruling in the ongoing legal battle over the controversial detention facility built at the TNT site in the Florida Everglades, granting in part and denying in part a preliminary injunction sought by tribal and environmental groups.
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U.S. District Judge Kathleen M. Williams issued the 82-page order on Thursday, halting any further expansion of the facility and ordering federal and state officials to begin dismantling key infrastructure within 60 days, once the camp’s population decreases through natural attrition.
What the Order Says
The Court’s injunction prohibits:
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Installing additional industrial-style lighting, fencing, or other construction.
Expanding the facility with new buildings, dormitories, or administrative structures.
Bringing in new detainees who were not already at the site prior to the order.
However, the ruling does allow for basic maintenance and repairs to existing facilities if needed to address safety or environmental risks.
Within two months, the government must:
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Remove temporary fencing erected around the site.
Take down Sunbelt lighting fixtures and other detention-related lighting.
Dismantle generators, sewage, gas, and waste receptacles installed to support the facility.
The Court emphasized that short-term housing may remain until detainees are transferred or removed, but infrastructure specifically tied to the camp’s operation must be withdrawn.
Historic Context
Judge Williams’ decision highlighted the longstanding protections of the Everglades and Big Cypress National Preserve, citing President Harry Truman’s 1947 dedication of Everglades National Park and decades of bipartisan commitments to safeguard the land.
“Every Florida governor, senator, and countless political figures, including presidents, have pledged their unequivocal support for the restoration and protection of the Everglades,” Williams wrote. “This Order does nothing more than uphold the basic requirements of legislation designed to fulfill those promises.”
The Court also noted the irony that, in the late 1960s, a proposal to build the world’s largest jetport on the same site was abandoned due to environmental concerns — a history that weighed heavily in today’s ruling.
Why 60 Days?
The judge allowed a 60-day period to phase out the facility, noting that the camp’s population is already expected to decline as detainees are transferred to other facilities. This timeline provides the government an opportunity to safely remove fencing, lighting, and equipment without disrupting ongoing removal arrangements.
The Court required plaintiffs to post only a $100 bond, signaling its recognition of the case’s urgency and the minimal risk of financial harm to the government.
What’s Next
The ruling marks a major victory for environmental and tribal advocates who sued to block the project, arguing it violated federal environmental laws. While the facility is not being immediately dismantled in its entirety, the order effectively prevents its expansion and forces the government to scale back operations.
The decision could also influence broader debates over immigration policy, detention practices, and land protection in Florida.
For now, the TNT site’s future remains uncertain — but the Court has made clear that its days as a large-scale detention camp are numbered.
