Sierra Club Statement on Ruling Stopping Operations at “Alligator Alcatraz”

MIAMI -A federal judge has ordered a stopto expanding operations at "Alligator Alcatraz," the controversial immigration detention facility in the Florida Everglades.

The U.S. District Court sided with environmental groups and the Miccosukee Tribe in ruling that construction at the facility built on an airstrip within the Big Cypress National Preserve threatened irreparable harm to the area's fragile ecosystem and wildlife. The ruling allows the state of Florida to continue operations at the tent city camp through existing structures, but it prohibits any new individuals detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement from being brought to the site. It also requires certain support equipment and facilities at the site to be removed as current detainees are moved out.

The camp has caused public outcry since its opening in July due to the lack of basic living necessities offered to people detained there, including severely limited access to clean water, exposure to the elements, dangerous levels of heat, environmental impact, and vulnerability to hurricanes.

In recent months, the Trump administration has increasingly used public lands for staging operations for immigration and law enforcement operations. In March, the administration announced U.S. Army troops and vehicles would be deployed in Big Bend National Park in Texas to assist in border patrol operations. This month, Donald Trump increased federalized law enforcement in the District of Columbia, including summoning federal law enforcement agents and the D.C. national guard. These operations are frequently using land and parks administered by the National Park Service to stage patrols and enforcement activities.

In response, Sherman Neal II, Sierra Club Military Outdoors campaign manager, released the following statement:

"This detention center hearkens back to some of the worst episodes in American history, and is an environmental, fiscal, and ethical abomination that must never be allowed to happen again. The Everglades is one of the most unique ecosystems in the world - it's a park, not a prison. It's also a home to the tribes that have stewarded the land for generations that continue to resist military incursion on their sovereignty. This ruling is a victory, but we are seeing the same militarization of public lands used across the country. Ron DeSantis, the Trump administration, or anyone else must not be allowed to weaponize the public lands that belong to all of us to terrorize immigrants and minority communities."

Javier Estevez, Sierra Club Florida Political and Legislative Director, released the following statement:

"From day one, environmental advocates and leaders have said that placing a detention center on protected lands would have measurable and long lasting negative impacts in the area and the surrounding ecosystem. Last night, a federal judge confirmed these concerns.

"The DeSantis administration has shown a complete disregard for not only the continued protection of the Everglades, but for the dignity and care of human life. While the environmental impacts of this process are important, we cannot in good conscience ignore the cruel and inhumane policies that allowed such a facility to exist in the first place.

"We are pleased by the judge's decision and look forward to the permanent closure of this shameful detention center and the return of the land to those who have cared for it for generations. This facility was a mistake from the beginning - and we must ensure it is never repeated."

About the Sierra Club

The Sierra Club is America's largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit https://www.sierraclub.org.