Overview
- A divided 11th Circuit panel voted 2–1 to stay U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams’ injunction, allowing operations and construction at the Everglades detention site to continue during the appeal.
- Judges Barbara Lagoa and Elizabeth Branch formed the majority, finding plaintiffs were unlikely to show a federal action under NEPA, while Judge Adalberto Jordan dissented.
- The stay halts Williams’ ordered wind‑down that barred new detainees and required removal of fencing, lighting and generators within 60 days.
- The majority cited a lack of evidence of federal funding and said the public interest favors continued operation; DHS and Gov. Ron DeSantis praised the decision as a victory.
- A separate lawsuit over detainee access to counsel held its first hearing in Fort Myers after a venue transfer, with claims about private attorney meetings still unresolved.