SCCF has joined partner organizations in opposition of the ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ immigrant detention facility currently operating in Big Cypress National Preserve.  

On June 27, SCCF signed a letter to Gov. DeSantis opposing ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ along with 1000 Friends of Florida, Audubon Western Everglades, the Center for Biological Diversity, Conservancy of Southwest Florida, Earthjustice, Everglades Law Center, Florida Oceanographic Society, Florida Wildlife Federation, Friends of the Everglades, National Parks Conservation Association, National Wildlife Federation, Tropical Audubon Society, and VoteWater.

“While leaders have touted the speed at which the center was constructed, SCCF and many other individuals and organizations have raised the alarm over the potential environmental violations that seem to be likely occurring without oversight,” said SCCF Environmental Policy Director Matt DePaolis.

The camp is situated on the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport, an area that serves as a monument to previous environmental battles that were fought there over the future of the Everglades.

“Because there was already construction there, proponents of ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ claimed it will have zero impact. This, however, is impossible to say for certain without the requisite environmental assessments that take place during the standard permitting process,” DePaolis said.

The permitting process did not take place, and the center was constructed rapidly without seemingly any oversight. 

“To say that running a facility housing thousands of people in an environmentally sensitive area like the Big Cypress National Preserve would have ‘no impact’ betrays a lack of knowledge of the ecosystem,” DePaolis said. “This area is home to some of Florida’s most beloved macrofauna, including the endangered Florida panther. By introducing trucks, lights, and people into the area, the camp removes critical habitat for these big cats, as well as other important species.”

Potential impacts to Florida panthers also include introducing more traffic — In 2024, 75% of Florida panther deaths were due to vehicle strikes. Other concerns include light pollution, noise pollution, water pollution, and impacts from construction activities and depositing fill.

These are exactly the arguments raised by the Friends of the Everglades and Center for Biological Diversity in their lawsuit seeking an injunction against the project. 

“The suit highlights the lack of environmental review that went into the project, and the lack of public comment opportunity to provide testimony about potential harms,” DePaolis said.

Due to the sensitive nature of the site, 96% of which is wetlands, the suit requests immediate injunctive relief to halt usage of the camp. On July 15, the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians also filed to join the federal lawsuit, stating the site is located on their sacred ancestral homelands.

“The Everglades remains a deeply sacred place to both the indigenous peoples who have called it home, and newcomers who have discovered its majesty. America’s Everglades are one of this country’s treasures, and the messaging about it being a dangerous swamp, fit only to punish criminals, does all of Florida a great disservice,” DePaolis said. “In addition to the myriad issues plaguing the detention center, at the very least we need to treat our environment with the respect it deserves, and ensure its protection by following appropriate environmental reviews.”

The Everglades is currently amid one of the largest ecosystem restoration projects on the planet, largely due to previous generations not understanding the consequences of their actions, DePaolis said.

“We have an opportunity to break the cycle and protect these environments for future generations, rather than saddling them with the cleanup costs for our mistakes. While we are making great strides in conservation around the country, ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ is a glaring example of a major step backwards.”