Fact Check: Environmental Groups Filed a Lawsuit to Halt Alligator Alcatraz Construction
What We Know
On June 27, 2025, two environmental groups, Friends of the Everglades and the Center for Biological Diversity, filed a federal lawsuit aimed at halting the construction of an immigrant detention center, colloquially known as "Alligator Alcatraz," located in the Everglades. The lawsuit alleges that the state of Florida has failed to conduct the necessary ecological reviews required under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Endangered Species Act (ESA) (source, source). The facility is intended to hold up to 3,000 detainees and is being constructed at the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport, a site that has raised significant environmental concerns due to its proximity to sensitive ecosystems (source, source).
The lawsuit argues that the construction poses direct and indirect harm to nearby wetlands, wildlife, and air and water quality, and that feasible alternatives to the project must be considered (source). Construction had already begun, with reports of dump trucks delivering fill material to the site (source). The state has indicated plans to have the facility operational by the following Tuesday, prompting the environmental groups to request an expedited court hearing (source, source).
Analysis
The claims made by the environmental groups are supported by the details outlined in the lawsuit, which emphasizes the potential ecological impacts of the detention center. The Everglades is recognized as the largest subtropical wilderness in the U.S. and is home to numerous endangered species, including American flamingos and manatees (source). The urgency of the lawsuit is underscored by the imminent timeline for the facility's opening, which the groups argue does not allow for proper environmental assessments to be conducted.
Critics of the lawsuit, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Department of Homeland Security officials, have dismissed the claims as unfounded, arguing that the land has been developed for a decade and that the construction will not significantly impact the environment (source, source). However, such statements may reflect a bias, as they come from officials directly involved in the project. The environmental groups, on the other hand, are recognized organizations with a history of advocating for ecological preservation, lending credibility to their concerns.
The sources used in this analysis are credible news outlets, including The Washington Post and Fox News, which provide detailed accounts of the lawsuit and the surrounding circumstances. However, it is essential to note that media coverage can sometimes reflect the biases of their respective audiences, which may influence the framing of the issue.
Conclusion
The claim that environmental groups filed a lawsuit to halt Alligator Alcatraz construction is True. The lawsuit, filed by Friends of the Everglades and the Center for Biological Diversity, is based on legitimate concerns regarding the environmental impact of the detention center in a sensitive ecological area. The urgency of the lawsuit, coupled with the potential risks to the Everglades ecosystem, supports the validity of the claim.
