Judge considers whether Florida’s ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ detention center violates environmental law
August 6, 2025
A federal judge heard arguments about an immigration detention center in the Florida Everglades, known as “Alligator Alcatraz.” Environmental groups and the Miccosukee Tribe want to halt the project, claiming it violates environmental laws and threatens sensitive wetlands. The lawsuit in Miami challenges the detention center, built over a month ago on a Miami-Dade County airstrip. A separate lawsuit by civil rights groups argues detainees’ rights are being violated. Attorneys for federal and state agencies argue the case was filed in the wrong jurisdiction. The judge hasn’t yet ruled on this argument.