ISTANBUL

A federal judge in the US state of Florida ordered a temporary halt Thursday to construction at Alligator Alcatraz, the country’s first state-operated detention center built to house immigrants detained under the Trump administration, The Washington Post reported.

US District Judge Kathleen Williams issued a two-week suspension of new construction at the Everglades facility after a hearing in a lawsuit brought by environmental organizations and supported by the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians.

"We’re pleased that the judge saw the urgent need to put a pause on additional construction, and we look forward to advancing our ultimate goal of protecting the unique and imperiled Everglades ecosystem from further damage caused by this mass detention facility,” said Eve Samples, executive director at Friends of the Everglades, in a statement.

Florida state Representative Anna Eskamani, who spoke at the hearing in favor of the environmental groups, described the judge’s order as “a necessary and welcome step in stopping a project that never should have been approved in the first place.”

"This facility is not only a threat to one of the most environmentally sensitive regions in the country. It is also a glaring example of how far the State of Florida will go to criminalize immigrants and ignore the long-term health of our natural resources,” Eskamani said in a statement.

A spokesperson for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis downplayed the significance of the judge's order.

“Today’s ruling by an activist judge will have no impact on immigration enforcement in Florida,” Alex Lanfranconi said in a statement.

“Alligator Alcatraz will remain operational, continuing to serve as a force multiplier to enhance deportation efforts," he added.