On Friday, multiple environmental organizations, including Friends of the Everglades and the Center for Biological Diversity, filed a federal lawsuit in the Southern District of Florida against the construction of an illegal immigrant detention center, dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz,” near the Everglades and Big Cypress National Preserve. This lawsuit seeks to halt construction activities at the site, which is located at Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport, a location claimed to be unoccupied. According to Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, the lawsuit is perceived as “lazy,” asserting that the land has been developed for a substantial period.
The detention facility will span approximately 30 square miles and will be designed to house up to 5,000 ICE detainees, with natural deterrents like alligators and pythons serving as additional security features. The plan for this facility was approved by the Trump administration, with construction commencing shortly thereafter. Environmental attorneys contend that the infrastructures for housing, sanitation, food services, and power generation pose significant ecological risks to the surrounding environment.
Protests organized by environmental groups and Native Americans occurred outside the airport, highlighting community concerns over potential pollution and other environmental harms. The lawsuit alleges that the defendants bypassed necessary environmental reviews mandated by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), failing to adequately assess the impacts on nearby wetlands and wildlife, as well as air and water quality. The lawsuit also claims violations of Miami-Dade County codes, emphasizing that the state emergency management lacks the authority to construct and oversee a correctional facility.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis responded to these developments, clarifying that illegal immigrants might start arriving at the facility shortly, although he emphasized that measures taken will be temporary, asserting that there would be no permanent changes. He projected that the center would function as a “force multiplier” to support federal immigration enforcement, asserting that the operational impact would be negligible.
The anticipated operational costs for the detention center are estimated at about $450 million annually, anticipated to be funded by the state with reimbursements from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for expenses incurred. While the legal proceedings surrounding the lawsuit aim to secure an injunction against the construction activities, work on-site continues unabated, raising concerns among environmental activists.
Overall, the case highlights a contentious intersection between immigration policy, environmental protection, and local governance, with significant implications for the surrounding ecosystem and communities. As the lawsuit progresses through the courts, attention will remain focused on the outcome and its potential influence on similar projects in the future.
