Florida’s Everglades became the backdrop for a major protest on Saturday as a diverse coalition of environmentalists, Native American leaders, and human rights advocates gathered to oppose the construction of a new immigrant detention center.
Demonstrators lined portions of U.S. Highway 41—known as the Tamiami Trail—near a remote airstrip in Big Cypress National Preserve, where dump trucks and construction equipment were seen entering the site. Protesters waved signs and chanted in opposition to the facility, while supportive drivers honked their horns in solidarity.
The proposed detention center is being fast-tracked under an executive order issued by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who has cited illegal immigration as a state emergency. The order allows the state to bypass traditional procurement regulations, expediting construction despite objections from local leaders, including Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava.
According to the state, the facility will feature temporary structures—such as reinforced tents and trailers—and is expected to provide 5,000 immigration detention beds by early July. Supporters of the project argue that the remote Everglades location offers a secure setting, with natural barriers like alligators and invasive Burmese pythons discouraging escape attempts.
However, critics warn that the location is not only ecologically fragile but also deeply significant to Native American communities. The airstrip is situated within Big Cypress National Preserve, home to endangered species and sacred sites for the Miccosukee and Seminole Tribes. The preserve contains 15 traditional villages, ceremonial spaces, burial grounds, and cultural gathering sites.
Environmental organizations, including the Center for Biological Diversity and Friends of the Everglades, filed a lawsuit on Friday to halt construction. They argue that the project must undergo a full environmental review and public consultation before proceeding, citing potential long-term damage to the region’s unique ecosystem.
Human rights advocates have also raised concerns over the facility’s conditions and its treatment of detainees. Critics have dubbed the site “Alligator Alcatraz,” a name that has drawn support from some officials, including U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who confirmed that federal funds from FEMA will help support the project.
Despite the growing backlash, state construction efforts are continuing. For now, activists vow to maintain pressure on state and federal authorities, demanding a pause in development until comprehensive assessments are completed.
The situation remains fluid as environmental, tribal, and legal groups prepare for ongoing legal battles and further demonstrations in defense of the Everglades and the communities that call it home.