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.

Last month, during a visit to the Florida facilities, U.S. President Donald Trump joked that prisoners who attempted to escape would need to learn how to dodge alligators.