MIAMI— A federal judge today sided with conservation groups and granted a temporary restraining order ordering the state of Florida and the Trump administration to stop further construction of the mass detention center in Big Cypress National Preserve known as “Alligator Alcatraz.”
The injunction means that new construction, including filling, paving, installation of new infrastructure, and installation of new lighting, must stop immediately. That will last for 14 days while the parties complete their hearing on the conservation groups’ motion for a preliminary injunction.
Meanwhile the lawsuit, originally filed by the groups on June 27 and joined by the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, is allowed to proceed. The hastily constructed detention center holds thousands of detainees and poses serious threats to the sensitive Everglades ecosystem, endangered species, clean water and dark night skies.
“We’re pleased that the judge saw the urgent need to put a pause on additional construction, and we look forward to advancing our ultimate goal of protecting the unique and imperiled Everglades ecosystem from further damage caused by this mass detention facility,” said Eve Samples, executive director at Friends of the Everglades.
The detention center site is surrounded on all sides by the Big Cypress National Preserve, one of America’s first national preserves, which protects ecologically sensitive wetlands and a dozen endangered and threatened species, including endangered Florida panthers and Florida bonneted bats. Florida panthers have been documented on the very site where the detention center now sits. The preserve is an internationally recognized dark sky park with one of the darkest night skies in the eastern United States — before the stadium-like lights of “Alligator Alcatraz” started blazing this month.
“It’s a relief that the court stepped in to protect the Everglades’ sensitive waters, starry skies and vulnerable creatures from further harm while we continue our case,” said Elise Bennett, Florida and Caribbean director and an attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity. “We’re ready to press forward and put a stop to this despicable plan for good.”
While the facility is marketed as being temporary, the evidence suggests that isn’t true. Previously unimproved sections of the area have been filled and paved, roads have been added and expanded, and the night sky over Big Cypress now has a glow that is visible from at least 15 miles away.
“It has been a long road, but we are grateful that further harmful construction will not take place until this hearing concludes,” said Tania Galloni, managing attorney for the Florida regional office at Earthjustice.
The massive facility is being built on a lightly used airstrip known as the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport, two hours west of Miami and one hour west of Naples. The site was commandeered by the state of Florida from Miami-Dade County under an emergency order issued three years ago regarding migrants.
“We welcome the court’s decision to pause construction on this deeply concerning project,” said Talbert Cypress, chairman of the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, who joined the case. “The detention facility threatens land that is not only environmentally sensitive but sacred to our people. While this order is temporary, it is an important step in asserting our rights and protecting our homeland. The Miccosukee Tribe will continue to stand for our culture, our sovereignty, and the Everglades.”
Friends of the Everglades and the Center for Biological Diversity are nonpartisan, not-for-profit organizations working to protect the Everglades from the threat of water and light pollution and other harm posed by this detention center and to protect endangered species on the site surrounded by Big Cypress National Preserve.
Friends of the Everglades and the Center for Biological Diversity are represented by Scott Hiaasen, Paul Schwiep, Earthjustice and Center attorneys.
