MIAMI— New records show that Florida initially applied for nearly $1.5 billion in federal funding to keep the massive immigrant detention center in the heart of the Everglades afloat. The records, which had been withheld by the state, were obtained after Friends of the Everglades filed a public records lawsuit in October against the Florida Division of Emergency Management.

The newly released files clearly show that the detention center, known as “Alligator Alcatraz,” is a federal project. The facility is harming the waters and endangered plants and animals in one of Florida’s most cherished wild places. According to the records, as early as June of last year, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and state Division of Emergency Management were working in lockstep to develop the details and funding for the facility under FEMA’s Detention Support Grant Program.

“The records confirm what Friends of the Everglades has maintained from the outset: This is a federal immigration detention facility, conceived and constructed on the promise of federal funding. Attempting to delay federal reimbursement to sidestep compliance with federal environmental law is gamesmanship — and will not work. Director Kevin Guthrie himself concedes that the environmental review required by federal law must occur. That review was required before construction began. Until the mandated review is completed, operation of the facility should cease,” said Paul Schwiep, attorney for Friends of the Everglades.

“These files illustrate a staggering waste of taxpayer dollars — funds meant to protect Floridians in times of natural disaster — diverted instead to construct a mass detention center in the heart of the Big Cypress National Preserve that continues to inflict grave harm on the Everglades. We are committed to stopping the harm at Alligator Alcatraz and will return to court next month to advance our case,” said Eve Samples, executive director of Friends of the Everglades.

“This is clearly a federal project. In any event, the Trump administration and Florida are violating additional laws meant to protect Florida’s clean environment and vulnerable creatures,” said Elise Bennett, Florida and Caribbean director at the Center for Biological Diversity. “Every day this cruel facility is open is another day the government and their contractors are harassing, harming and putting Florida panthers, bonneted bats and other endangered species at even greater risk of extinction.”

Oral arguments in the pending appeal of the preliminary injunction environmental groups won last August will be held April 7 in Miami.

The public records obtained by Friends of the Everglades can be accessed via this link.