MIAMI— The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments Tuesday regarding a preliminary injunction won by Friends of the Everglades, the Center for Biological Diversity and the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida to halt the construction and operation of the massive detention center known as “Alligator Alcatraz” in Big Cypress National Preserve. The groups will hold a press conference outside the courthouse after the hearing.

The hearing stems from U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams’ Aug. 21 order granting the injunction to halt construction, stop the placement of new detainees and begin the winding down of operations at the facility. The order marked a major victory for Florida’s imperiled wildlife and fragile ecosystems which are threatened by the detention center.

Federal and state defendants appealed, and the appellate court paused the district court’s injunction for the duration of the appeal. Tuesday’s arguments — on the birthday of Friends of the Everglades founder Marjory Stoneman Douglas — will inform the appellate court’s decision on whether to uphold the preliminary injunction while the conservation groups and the Tribe proceed to trial.

Attorney Paul Schwiep of Coffey Burlington will argue on behalf of Friends of the Everglades and the Center for Biological Diversity as they seek to have the injunction reinstated.

What: Press conference following oral arguments on the Everglades immigration detention center injunction.

When: Tuesday, April 7, 2026, immediately following the hearing. The court convenes at 9 a.m. and this case is currently scheduled second.

Where: James Lawrence King Federal Justice Building, 99 Northeast 4th St., Miami, Florida, outside the south entrance.

Who: Representatives of Friends of the Everglades, the Center for Biological Diversity, Earthjustice and Coffey Burlington counsel.

Background

The Everglades is the largest mangrove ecosystem in the Western Hemisphere, with the largest continuous stand of sawgrass prairie and the most significant breeding ground for wading birds in North America. In 2010 it was designated as an endangered UNESCO World Heritage site.

In June 2025 Friends of the Everglades and the Center for Biological Diversity, represented by Scott Hiaasen, Paul Schwiep, Earthjustice and Center attorneys, sued the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Florida Division of Emergency Management and Miami-Dade County to stop the project. The Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida joined the lawsuit.