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.

A judge ruled that the state and federal governments acted illegally by not conducting an environmental review before building the center in the Florida Everglades.

A federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction halting further expansion of an immigration detention center built in the middle of the Florida Everglades and dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz” as it winds down its operations in 60 days to comply with environmental laws.