Miami, Florida — Environmental groups filed a federal lawsuit Friday to block the construction of a controversial migrant detention center known as “Alligator Alcatraz,” located on an airstrip in the heart of the Florida Everglades.
The lawsuit seeks to halt the project until it undergoes a comprehensive environmental review as mandated by both federal and state law, as well as a period for public comment.
The Environmental Concerns
Critics of the facility have denounced it as a severe threat to the delicate Everglades ecosystem, particularly the wetlands that are home to endangered species such as the Florida panther.
The facility, a part of Florida’s aggressive strategy to enforce President Donald Trump’s immigration policies, is slated to begin processing individuals who have entered the U.S. illegally as soon as next week. However, the environmentalists argue that the construction of this facility would devastate an area that has been carefully preserved for decades.
“The site is more than 96% wetlands, surrounded by the Big Cypress National Preserve,” said Eve Samples, executive director of Friends of the Everglades, in a news release. “This scheme is not only cruel, but it also threatens the Everglades ecosystem that state and federal taxpayers have spent billions to protect.”
Political and Legal Backing
Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, who has been a staunch supporter of President Trump’s immigration policies, defended the facility, calling it a necessary step for Florida to support the federal government’s crackdown on illegal immigration.
“The state of Florida is all in on President Trump’s mission,” DeSantis said during a tour of the facility on “Fox and Friends.” “There needs to be more ability to intake, process and deport.”
DeSantis also emphasized that the center would be constructed at a pre-existing airport located within the Big Cypress National Preserve, about 45 miles west of downtown Miami. He dismissed concerns about environmental impacts, asserting that the facility would have “no impact on the surrounding environment.”
The Florida Republican Party has gone so far as to sell T-shirts and other merchandise with the “Alligator Alcatraz” slogan.
Read Also: Authorities: Florida Men Held Party With Alcohol and Over 2 Dozen Kids
Opposition and Legal Action
The lawsuit, filed on behalf of the Center for Biological Diversity and Friends of the Everglades, was led by Earthjustice, a nonprofit environmental law firm.
The complaint names several federal and state agencies as defendants, including the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the Florida Division of Emergency Management.
Scott Hiaasen, the son of Florida writer Carl Hiaasen, is among the attorneys representing the plaintiffs. “This is a facility being built on ecologically sensitive wetlands that are crucial to the survival of endangered species and to the preservation of our environment,” said Hiaasen. “It’s a direct attack on the Everglades.”
Local Protests and Tribal Concerns
In addition to environmental concerns, a protest is planned near the construction site on Saturday, led by Native Americans who consider the land sacred.
The Miccosukee and Seminole tribes, who have been in the region for centuries, have expressed their opposition to the project, citing its proximity to their traditional villages and burial grounds in Big Cypress.
“There are 15 remaining traditional tribal villages in Big Cypress, along with ceremonial and burial grounds,” said a tribal spokesperson. “This project endangers not only the land but the cultural heritage of our people.”
State’s Legal Defense
Governor DeSantis’s spokesperson, Bryan Griffin, said the state would vigorously oppose the lawsuit.
“Governor Ron DeSantis has insisted that Florida will be a force multiplier for federal immigration enforcement, and this facility is a necessary staging operation for mass deportations,” Griffin said in an email. “We look forward to litigating this case.”
As the legal battle unfolds, both sides are preparing for a prolonged fight. For now, the “Alligator Alcatraz” facility stands as a symbol of the contentious intersection of immigration policy and environmental protection.
What Are Your Views?
What do you think about the proposed migrant detention center in the Everglades? Should the state prioritize national security or environmental preservation? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
For more updates, visit RidgecrestPact.org.
