"Alligator Alcatraz" Polluted by Diesel Fumes

A new lawsuit alleges that Florida's "Alligator Alcatraz" immigrant detention center is operating diesel-powered equipment that pollutes the air in a sensitive wetland ecosystem. The Center for Biological Diversity filed the suit in federal court against the Florida Division of Emergency Management, citing "substantial, unpermitted pollution" from industrial generators. These generators have reportedly been used since June 2025 to power essential facilities for up to 1,000 workers. The lawsuit contends that this setup violates the federal Clean Air Act, as the state failed to secure necessary air permits for equipment emitting pollutants like benzene, formaldehyde, and nitrogen oxides. These emissions are linked to significant health concerns and could result in substantial daily civil fines. The legal challenge coincides with vendor reports suggesting a possible June closure, though state officials have indicated the center might remain operational for two years or longer. The detention center is situated near Big Cypress National Preserve, an area critical for vulnerable wetlands and threatened wildlife, including Florida panthers. The Miccosukee Tribe of Florida, whose villages are nearby, joined an earlier lawsuit in June 2025 over the facility's rapid construction without environmental review. Despite reports of a potential shutdown, an inspection on Tuesday revealed 655 individuals were still detained. The Center for Biological Diversity asserts that Governor DeSantis continues to allow pollution in the fragile wetlands and pristine air, harming people, endangered species, and the Everglades ecosystem.