Florida Detention Center Faces Lawsuits, Abuse Claims

The newly constructed 'Alligator Alcatraz' immigrant detention center in the Florida Everglades faces lawsuits and public outcry over reported inhumane conditions and environmental harms. Detainees and former guards allege overcrowding, unsanitary conditions, food shortages, mosquito infestations, and restricted access to legal counsel, likening the facility to a 'torture center.' The Miccosukee Tribe, whose villages are nearby, has joined environmental groups in suing federal and state agencies, citing lack of consultation and required environmental studies, as well as threats to their lands and culture. Indigenous youth and supporters have staged protests, condemning both ecological damage to sacred sites and the erasure of community history. State and federal officials defend the center's necessity for migrant housing, but bipartisan lawmakers and advocacy groups are split over its justification and humanitarian impact. The dispute highlights ongoing tensions over immigration policy, Indigenous rights, and environmental protection in Florida.