Alligator Alcatraz: Controversial Detention Center Set to Open in Everglades

Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport, Big Cypress National Preserve, Florida, United States - A new immigration facility in Florida’s Everglades, dubbed „Alligator Alcatraz,“ is on the brink of opening, stirring both excitement and concern within the community. Located at the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport in the Big Cypress National Preserve, this detention center is expected to start housing undocumented immigrants as soon as July 1, 2025. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has championed the facility, emphasizing its aims to align with previous national immigration policies, citing that around 50,000 individuals in Florida have final removal orders

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Meant to accommodate up to 5,000 detainees, the camp features large tents equipped with portable air conditioning systems and is overseen by personnel from the Florida National Guard. Services provided at the facility include intake, processing, deportation, food, and even legal aid. While the state government assures that the prison won’t interfere with aviation training, critics raise alarms about the ecological implications of such a massive operation in a sensitive region.

Environmental Concerns

Environmental advocates are far from pleased with the development of Alligator Alcatraz. A coalition of groups, including the Friends of the Everglades and the Center for Biological Diversity, has filed a federal lawsuit against the facility. Their contention? That the construction was initiated without a proper environmental assessment, a requirement under both federal and state law. With over 96% of the site classified as wetlands, home to endangered species like the Florida panther, these groups highlight that the land’s ecological fabric is at serious risk.

As reported by Niners Wire, prominent figures including Betty Osceola of the Miccosukee tribe have voiced concerns over the site’s historical significance and its potential ecological impact. „This land is sacred to my ancestors, and building here could wreak havoc on our culture and the environment,“ she stated.

Rapid construction observed at the site has raised eyebrows, particularly as trucks deliver fill dirt at an unprecedented pace. Installed without the necessary environmental reviews, this construction might violate multiple laws aimed at protecting sensitive wildlife habitats. Tania Galloni, managing attorney for Earthjustice, which represents the environmental groups, emphasized the violation of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), particularly concerning the lack of an environmental review or impact statement.

Political Support and Backlash

Despite the backlash, political figures like Congressman Byron Donalds have shown support for the detention center, echoing sentiments that it is necessary for managing illegal immigration. In contrast, environmental groups view it as a clear disregard for nature and a possible cultural affront that could have long-lasting repercussions. The lawsuit aims to halt the project until compliance with NEPA and the Administrative Procedure Act is ensured, creating a tense stand-off between the state’s immigration intentions and the urgent need to protect the environment.

As the construction continues to unfold, the tension between development, federal immigration policy, and environmental integrity will undoubtedly remain at the forefront of local discourse. The fate of Alligator Alcatraz, a facility that raises questions well beyond immigration, hangs in the balance as legal battles are waged and communities respond.

For coverage on the legal actions underway, Jurist discusses the multi-faceted implications and urgent pleas from environmental advocates who seek to protect the delicate ecosystem that thrives within the Florida Everglades.