A federal judge ordered Florida to halt expansion and begin dismantling parts Alligator Alcatraz, prompting Gov. Ron DeSantis' administration to quickly appeal the ruling.

U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams' injunction formalized a temporary halt she had ordered two weeks ago as witnesses continued to testify in a multiday hearing to determine whether construction should end until the ultimate resolution of the case.

An order from a federal judge to begin closing down Alligator Alcatraz in Florida has been appealed by the state. “The deportations will continue until morale improves,” said Alex Lanfranconi, a spokesman for second-term Republican Gov.