In brief
Environmental groups suing to close Florida's immigration detention center, dubbed 'Alligator Alcatraz,' have uncovered evidence showing that officials withheld information about federal reimbursement for its construction. Despite a federal judge's earlier ruling to wind down operations due to environmental review failures, the facility remains operational as it awaits final legal determinations.
ORLANDO, Fla. — Recent evidence has surfaced suggesting that both federal and state officials withheld crucial details regarding the Department of Homeland Security's agreement to reimburse Florida for certain construction costs associated with the contentious immigration detention center in the Everglades, known as 'Alligator Alcatraz.' These revelations arise amidst ongoing legal efforts to shut down the facility, which continues to detain individuals despite an appellate court's ruling in September.
Details obtained through a public records request reveal that officials discussed federal reimbursement as early as June. Notably, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) confirmed receiving a grant application from state officials in August, subsequently approving $608 million in federal funds to support the center's construction and operations.
Environmental advocacy groups highlighted the implications of this concealment, as their attorney, Tania Galloni, stated, We now know that the federal and state government had records confirming that they closely partnered on this facility from the beginning but failed to disclose them to the district court. This discovery is pivotal as it may influence the judicial response to ongoing environmental lawsuits.
Although a federal judge ordered the facility to cease operations due to an inadequate environmental impact assessment in mid-August, it remains operational under a temporary hold imposed by an appellate court pending further review. The environmental groups—Friends of the Everglades and the Center for Biological Diversity—are advocating for the newly revealed evidence to be included in the judges' final decision regarding the facility's fate.
Florida has positioned itself as a leader in constructing such facilities under previous federal immigration enforcement initiatives. While this center began accepting detainees in July, plans for additional centers in the region are already underway, prompting concerns from various advocacy groups regarding the lack of legal authority and oversight associated with these operations.
The Florida Department of Emergency Management, which oversaw the construction of the Everglades facility, did not respond to inquiries regarding the matter.
