Environmentalists say Everglades further damaged by removal of Alligator Alcatraz

Demobilization of the mass immigration detention center has not reduced its environmental risks, nonprofits argue in a new lawsuit.(CN) — Environmentalists renewed their fight against the South Florida migrant detention center known as “Alligator Alcatraz" on Monday for damage they say it has caused in the Everglades.Even though Florida’s Republican Governor Ron DeSantis announced the center’s closing in June, Friends of the Everglades and the Center for Biological Diversity say they still have concerns over the center’s environmental impact.In their amended complaint, the groups claim past and ongoing demobilization of the facility has caused further environmental harm to the Greater Everglades, the Big Cypress National Preserve, and the Big Cypress Area, which has been designated as having significant impact upon environmental and natural resources of regional and statewide importance.As of July 14, 2026, the environmentalists say large trucks and machinery have been observed moving on and off site, as well as heavy equipment on paved areas emitting clouds of particulate matter, with no visible attempt at mitigation or containment.They said this raises urgent concerns about further unpermitted and undocumented alterations of this ecologically sensitive site as unknown materials will likely settle in surrounding land and waters.Large piles of asphalt and debris remain on site with loose aggregate material appearing to be spread, piled, and moved around the site, as of Aug. 19, 2026, the groups claim, adding that 20 acres of new pavement over previously permeable land and other features that were added for the detention center such as trenches and rebar remain on site.Ongoing degradation and other activities at the site have negatively affected federally protected species, most notably the Florida panther and Florida bonneted bat, according to the environmentalists.Heavy machinery, noise, and intense human activity continue to threaten the endangered Florida panther by causing them to avoid essential primary zone and breeding habitat they previously used and they require for their survival and recovery, the groups wrote.Fencing surrounding the site remains, including razor-wire and barbed-wire fencing, as does electrical equipment anchored to cement pads for the operation of automatic gates. The groups claim removing these structures and other large concrete foundations requires excavation, soil disturbance and runoff into surrounding wetlands, which can cause habitat degradation and disturbance if not properly mitigated and contained.Friends of the Everglades, the Center for Biological Diversity and the Miccosukee Tribe of Florida first sued on June 27, 2025, over the detention center being built without any environmental review.A federal judge sided with the environmentalists, prompting the state to appeal two twice to the 11th Circuit.In a pair of rulings, the appeals court ultimately found state officials unilaterally controlled the detention center, barring the claims the site violates federal environmental laws. The facility was allowed to continue operating while suit was pending in Miami federal court.In their renewed complaint, the environmental groups stand by their argument that consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was required under the Endangered Species Act before construction began to determine the potential environmental impacts.Additionally, the Florida Division of Emergency Management, which is statutorily charged with preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery of emergencies and disasters, lacks any lawful authority to construct and operate a detention center to house immigrants, the groups argue.They seek an order enjoining the government from renewed development or using the area for purposes related to a mass detention center or any other unauthorized use.Subscribe to our free newslettersOur weekly newsletter Closing Arguments offers the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world, while the monthly Under the Lights dishes the legal dirt from Hollywood, sports, Big Tech and the arts.Additional Reads