A Terrible Environmental Law Finally Did Something Good: It Paused Construction of Alligator Alcatraz
A federal judge halted construction of Florida’s Alligator Alcatraz on Thursday for 14 days while the court decides if the opening of the facility violated federal environmental laws and regulations. Immigrant detainees will remain on the site as the environmental legal challenges continue.Â
Alligator Alcatraz, a state-run immigration detention center, is located on 30 square miles of the Everglades in Miami-Dade County. Florida officials announced plans for the project on June 19 and began construction just days later. Despite opposition from Miami-Dade’s Democratic Mayor Daniella Levine Cava—who called for an updated appraisal of the property and environmental impact report—Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis took possession of the land through emergency powers in place since 2023. After only eight days of construction, the facility was operational and began accepting immigrant detainees on July 3.
But before the immigration detention center even opened, environmental groups filed suit in the federal district court in Miami in June, arguing that construction on the land threatens the environmentally sensitive area and failed to comply with federal and state law.Â
After two days of testimony—including from a witness who said she saw trucks full of fill and a soil compactor driving into Alligator Alcatraz last Friday—District Judge Kathleen M. Williams said she found enough evidence to order the state to stop activities that would further disrupt the ecosystem until the court rules on the request for a preliminary injunction. Because of the temporary restraining order, “new construction, including filling, paving, installation of new infrastructure, and installation of new lighting, must stop immediately,” according to a statement released by the environmental groups involved in the case.Â
Initially, Alligator Alcatraz was touted as a cost-effective solution for the Trump administration to find housing for a record high number of immigrant detainees. The Everglades—full of alligators and pythons—would serve as a natural security perimeter, and the ai
Article from Reason.com
The Reason Magazine website is a go-to destination for libertarians seeking cogent analysis, investigative reporting, and thought-provoking commentary. Championing the principles of individual freedom, limited government, and free markets, the site offers a diverse range of articles, videos, and podcasts that challenge conventional wisdom and advocate for libertarian solutions. Whether you’re interested in politics, culture, or technology, Reason provides a unique lens that prioritizes liberty and rational discourse. It’s an essential resource for those who value critical thinking and nuanced debate in the pursuit of a freer society.
