Hearing begins to close ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ over environmental concerns

The immigrant detention facility known as “Alligator Alcatraz” got its nickname from a wild animal, and now it could be shut down over wild animals. A hearing began Wednesday in a Miami federal courthouse after environmental advocates filed suit to get the facility shut down.

Environmental concerns

Multiple environmental groups filed the suit, accusing state and federal agencies of violating the National Environmental Policy Act. The law requires federal agencies to assess the environmental impacts of proposed actions before making decisions.

Those groups say the government didn’t do that before building the detention center.

“[The facility is] located within or directly adjacent to the Big Cypress National Preserve and the Big Cypress Area, a nationally and State protected, and ecologically sensitive, area that serves as habitat for endangered and threatened species like the Florida panther, Florida bonneted bat, Everglade Snail kite, wood stork, and numerous other species,” the lawsuit reads.

Hearing begins

Randy Kautz, an expert in Florida wildlife, took the stand today, according to reports. He testified that the detention center is a core area for an endangered panther species, and the facility could harm recovery efforts.

He said some 130-240 adult panthers live in the area, and the goal is to triple that number.

“This is the area we know that Florida panthers do occur,” Kautz said. “If panthers are to recover in the future, there’s got to be a place where they start from and disperse to.”

He cited studies showing that panthers will stay away from humans and certain lights, and this facility translates to around 2,000 acres of lost habitat.

Amber Crooks, a member of the Center for Biological Diversity, also testified today. She discussed her observations of wildlife in the area and expressed concerns that the plan for the facility lacked a public comment period, allowing people to share their thoughts.

Also, on the witness stand today, state Rep. Anna Eskamani, who testified she believed the federal government, specifically the Department of Homeland Security, was behind the facility.

Lawyers for the defense are arguing that the state funded, constructed and manages the facility, so it’s exempt from the National Environmental Policy Act.

They’ve also tried to get the case thrown out, claiming it was filed in the wrong county.

Criticism of Alligator Alcatraz

Another lawsuit against the facility argues detainees are not getting access to attorneys and are being held without charges.

A virtual hearing began Monday, and the Trump-appointed judge has not yet issued a ruling. An in-person hearing is now scheduled for Aug. 18.

Straight Arrow News spoke with Anna Weiser, an immigration attorney with Smith & Eulo Law Firm in Florida. Weiser has several clients inside the facility, including Gonzalo Almanza, and is part of the ACLU case against it.

While she’s focused on her case, she’s also paying attention to this environmental one and would be very happy if the plaintiffs are successful.

“On whatever grounds it gets shut down, that would be a good day,” Weiser said. “If that thing is shut down, I don’t care on what grounds, my client gets to come out and at least, no, he’s not going to come home right away, but we have a chance to get him home,” Weiser said.

Florida and federal officials will also have to produce all agreements related to the facility. Many of the people being held also hold no criminal record.

A report also showed the facility has major issues, including swarms of mosquitoes and backed-up toilets and sewage lines.

“It’s like he’s being tortured,” Weiser said of Almanza. “I mean, people that are saying ‘concentration camp’ that they’re not off the mark.”

It comes as the Department of Homeland Security says they want to model more immigration facilities off “Alligator Alcatraz.” Deportation flights have also begun.

The Trump administration has touted the facility as a way to act on President Donald Trump’s promise of mass deportations.

“I’m sick and tired of false stories about Alligator Alcatraz,” Tom Homan, acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), said in a news conference covered by C-SPAN. “Someone asked me the other day that a preacher wasn’t allowed in to give mass, wrong.”