Florida's 'Alligator Alcatraz' Immigration Center Under Legal Scrutiny

Wed Oct 15 2025 03:40:44 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A lawsuit reveals Florida officials did not disclose federal funding applications for the controversial immigration detention center, raising concerns about environmental compliance.

A public records lawsuit filed by Friends of the Everglades exposes Florida officials for not informing the courts about their request for federal funding for the 'Alligator Alcatraz' immigration detention center. The facility, which is located in sensitive wetlands, has been ordered to wind down operations but remains open pending legal appeals. Critics claim this lack of transparency intentionally misled the judiciary and the public, potentially impacting the Everglades' ecosystem.

ORLANDO, Fla. - Controversy around Florida's 'Alligator Alcatraz,' an immigration detention center located in the Everglades, deepened with the filing of a public records lawsuit by the Friends of the Everglades. The lawsuit accuses state officials of failing to disclose their application for federal reimbursement, raising critical environmental and transparency issues.

The lawsuit reveals that Florida officials did not inform the courts that they applied for federal funding on August 7. This revelation has led to claims that the federal appellate court made decisions based on misleading information, delaying the winding down of the controversial facility.

A U.S. District Judge had ordered the immigration center to cease operations; however, this order was placed on hold by a federal appellate court, which ruled that an environmental impact study was unnecessary at this stage since Florida has not yet received the federal monies for operating the center.

Federal officials have since confirmed that Florida has been approved for a substantial $608 million funding for the center’s costs, prompting concerns over its ecological impact and the impression it leaves on both the judiciary and the public.

Friends of the Everglades, along with other suing groups, are demanding disclosure of communications between Florida and federal entities regarding the facility, claiming past requests for this information were ignored.

“Government officials in Florida have misled the public they are supposed to work for, and the Everglades have been harmed as a result,” stated Eve Samples, executive director of Friends of the Everglades, emphasizing the need for accountability.

The 'Alligator Alcatraz' center was constructed in an area characterized by vulnerable wetlands, a decision that critics argue compromises both environmental integrity and the sanctity of the legal process. Florida's Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis had expedited its construction to align with then-President Donald Trump's immigration enforcement strategies.

As the situation unfolds, environmental advocates remain on high alert, watching the developments and implications for the Everglades and the future of immigration policy in Florida.