JAKARTA - A US federal court judge ordered a temporary suspension of the construction of an immigrant detention prison called "Alligator airing" in Florida, USA.
The order to stop the project for 14 days follows reports of environmental impacts and possible damage to the Everglades ecosystem related to the development.
The decision was confirmed by US District Judge Total Mary Williams although the trial regarding this matter will still resume next Tuesday.
Previously, the Indian Miccosukee community and environmentalists in Florida urged Judge Williams to block the construction site of the Alligator karena the project was launched without conducting a necessary impact study.
The site of the prison construction is known to be home to various protected animals, such as the endangered Florida Tutul Tigers, and is considered sacred to the Miccosukee Indian tribe.
"We welcome the court's decision to temporarily suspend the construction of this very concerning project. This detention facility threatens land that is not only sensitive to the environment but also sacred to our society. Even though this order is temporary, it is an important step in affirming our rights and protecting our homeland. The Miccosukee will continue to fight for our culture, sovereignty and Everglades," said Indian chairman Miccosukee, Tilbert Cypress, in a statement.
When Judge Williams decided in a hearing that took place on Thursday this week local time, two experts presented as witnesses said at least 20 hectares of land in the Alligatormen were re-paved. Thus, the project has paved about 800,000 square feet.
According to expert testimony, asphalting poses a risk of contamination of runoff into natural water systems around locations that have the potential to be felt by protected animals.
In response to this, a spokesman for the Florida Attorney General's office, James Uthmeier, said he would fight the judge's decision.
"Hakim Williams' orders are wrong, and we will fight them. However, the order does not close the Alligator airing, which will continue to repatriate illegal immigrants to their place of origin," said James.
The construction of the Florida state deal Alligator and President Donald Trump's Administration in an effort to use the facility to accommodate immigrant prisoners.
SEE ALSO:
The English, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and French versions are automatically generated by the AI. So there may still be inaccuracies in translating, please always see Indonesian as our main language. (system supported by DigitalSiber.id)
