The governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis, stated that the new immigrant detention center, nicknamed Alligator Alcatraz, has a “zero impact” on the Everglades ecosystem.
However, scientists, environmental lawyers, and ecological groups contradict that assertion, pointing to a series of damages that are already visible in a natural environment considered one of the most fragile in the southeastern United States.
A detention center among crocodiles and protected species
Located on an abandoned concrete runway in the Big Cypress National Reserve, adjacent to Everglades National Park, the detention center received its first migrants on July 3.
The facility has been unofficially dubbed Alligator Alcatraz due to its remoteness, restricted access, and the presence of wildlife such as alligators and pythons.
According to Kevin Guthrie, executive director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, the facility has an initial capacity of up to 3,000 detainees, with the possibility of expansion, and an aluminum structure covering more than 14,800 square meters.
Despite the scale of the project and its location in a protected environment, the State did not conduct an environmental impact assessment prior to construction, which has led to a federal lawsuit filed on June 27 by the environmental groups Friends of the Everglades and the Center for Biological Diversity.
“Zero impact,” according to DeSantis
During a press conference held in Boca Raton on June 27, DeSantis asserted that the installation has "zero impact" on the Everglades. "Any indication that this will have any impact on the Everglades in general," the governor said, "is of zero impact."
The next day, his office presented no evidence to support that claim. Instead, DeSantis attributed the criticism to “personal ideologies against the deportation of migrants who are in the country without permission.”
Donald Trump also supported the project during a roundtable at the facilities, stating that the center did not harm the Everglades, but rather "improved" them.
Independent verification: PolitiFact contradicts the governor
The claims made by Governor DeSantis about the "zero impact" of the detention center have been verified and refuted by PolitiFact, an independent fact-checking organization affiliated with the Poynter Institute, which has been evaluating statements made by politicians and public figures since 2007 using its Truth-O-Meter system.
According to the assessment by PolitiFact, DeSantis's claim is unsupported by technical evidence, as the state did not conduct a prior environmental assessment, and the photographic, scientific, and testimonial evidence directly contradicts his statement.
What experts say
Independent scientists, environmental lawyers, and conservationists agree that the claim of "zero impact" is, at best, implausible.
Robert Glicksman, an environmental law professor at George Washington University, was blunt: “The governor's statement that the project will have 'zero impact' on the environment is impossible to take literally given its proximity to the Everglades, a national reserve, and to Indigenous cultural sites.”
In your opinion, the potential effects include light and air pollution, increased traffic, waste disposal, and the degradation of the habitat of endangered species such as the Florida panther, storks, bonneted bats, and snail kites.
For his part, Harold Wanless, a professor of geography and regional studies at the University of Miami, questioned the state’s minimization of the damage by claiming that "there was already a concrete slab."
According to what he said, “the site was abandoned decades ago due to an environmental mistake. It is now considered a governmental and commercial opportunity, with no environmental concerns.”
Christopher McVoy, a soil physicist and wetland expert, called DeSantis's claim "ridiculous."
"I was surprised that (DeSantis), with a serious face, said 'zero impact,'" he noted after visiting the site on June 28.
McVoy compared previous Google Earth satellite images with aerial photographs taken on July 5 by pilot Ralph Arwood, which show the expansion of approximately 11 acres of new pavement.
The images show newly paved areas and significant expansions of the original runway.
Concerns about endangered species and pollution
The affected area is part of an ecosystem home to protected species and has been designated as an International Dark Sky Place since 2016, a designation that requires specific regulations to limit artificial lighting.
"Regulating light pollution is important for the Florida panther and other nocturnal species," explained Alisa Coe, deputy attorney for the environmental group Earthjustice.
According to data from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, a radio-collared panther was last recorded in the area in 2014, confirming the significance of the environment as a habitat for the species.
Additionally, recent satellite images produced with NASA Worldview technology show a significant increase in nighttime brightness in the area since the construction of the center, which coincides with reports from detainees who claim that the lights are constantly on.
An old project with a new purpose
The history of the site dates back to the 1960s, when the Dade County Port Authority attempted to construct what would become the largest airport in the country, under the name of Everglades Jetport.
However, the plan was canceled following the environmental report of 1969 prepared by hydrologist Luna B. Leopold, who warned that the project “would inevitably destroy the ecosystem of South Florida and, therefore, the Everglades National Park.”
That report marked a milestone in the environmental history of the state and definitively halted airport development.
Decades later, the same site has once again become a center of controversy, now with a very different use, but with environmental impacts that could be equally serious, experts warn.
An ongoing legal and political dispute
While the federal demand progresses, Florida's Division of Emergency Management insists that there was no new development and that the area already had a pre-existing concrete runway.
“With time, a fine layer of soil and grass had accumulated on top,” stated Stephanie Hartman, a spokesperson for the division, in an email to PolitiFact.
However, the lack of a rigorous environmental assessment prior to the start of construction has fueled skepticism among the scientific community, which deems it unsustainable to declare "zero impact" in such a fragile area as Big Cypress.
For now, the Alligator Alcatraz continues to operate, receiving detainees, intensifying traffic in the area, and creating divisions not only politically but also scientifically and socially regarding its true human and environmental cost.
Frequently Asked Questions about the "Alligator Alcatraz" Detention Center
What is the "Alligator Alcatraz" detention center in Florida?
The "Alligator Alcatraz" is a new immigrant detention center located in the Florida Everglades, designed to house up to 5,000 migrants, primarily those with criminal records. It has been promoted by Governor Ron DeSantis and Attorney General James Uthmeier as part of a strategy to expedite mass deportations. Its construction has sparked controversy over its potential environmental and humanitarian impacts.
What is the environmental impact of the "Alligator Alcatraz"?
Despite Governor DeSantis's claims of "zero impact," experts and environmental groups have pointed out that the center could have serious negative effects on the Everglades ecosystem. These include light pollution, increased traffic, waste dumping, and habitat degradation for protected species like the Florida panther. The lack of a prior environmental assessment has been the basis for a federal lawsuit.
What criticisms has the detention center "Alligator Alcatraz" received?
The center has been criticized by human rights organizations, environmentalists, and indigenous communities. They argue that the facility represents a dehumanization of migrants and a threat to the natural environment of the Everglades. In addition, legal actions have been taken due to the lack of adequate environmental reviews. Joe García, a former Cuban-American congressman, has described it as a "concentration camp" for its treatment of immigrants.
Why was the location in the Everglades chosen for "Alligator Alcatraz"?
The location was chosen for its natural isolation and hostile environment, which includes alligators and swamps, theoretically discouraging escapes. This decision has been defended by Attorney General James Uthmeier as a natural security measure. However, the use of an ecologically sensitive area for such a purpose has been the subject of intense criticism and controversy.
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