It’s an illegal deportation camp only 900 feet from a traditional Miccosukee village

 

Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis have taken a closed down airport in the Everglades surrounded on all sides by the Big Cypress National Preserve and illegally built an ICE detention camp intended to imprison up to 5,000 immigrants. They’re calling it Alligator Alcatraz. Big Cypress has been home for the Miccosukee and Seminole Nations for centuries. They have stewarded its lands and waters, sacred cultural sites and ceremonial grounds are scattered throughout, and hundreds of Native peoples still live in more than a dozen remaining traditional villages. In an outright violation of Tribal sovereignty, no one consulted either Tribe.[1] And in just 8 days they secretly built the detention center. Decades of Federal environmental laws and regulations were abandoned.[2] In 1970, President Nixon applauded the agreement to stop the building of the planned airport saying it was "an outstanding victory for conservation." International standards for human rights and U.S. civil rights protections are being ignored. The conditions for detainees are inhumane.[3] Built on the 10,500-foot runaway, the entire complex consists of large tents for the detainees, mobile trailers for the staff, and portable restrooms and showers. Generators typically designed to provide temporary power are being used for electricity, including limited air conditioning. It is expected to cost at least $450 million a year.[4] The site has already been built, and despite immediate flooding the first detainees have arrived and environmental groups are suing to stop it, but there’s more that can be done. Congress must investigate the private prison contractors involved, hold them responsible for breaking the law, and shut down Alligator Alcatraz immediately. Sign and send your direct message now. DEMAND ACTION There’s even more potential lawbreaking too. CoreCivic, one of the nation's largest private jail operators, isn’t just the company brought in to run it, they’re also a huge Republican donor. CoreCivic contributed $500,000 and its president, Damon Hininger, donated another $300,000 to Donald Trump.[5] They aren’t alone. At least nine state contractors involved in the creation of Alligator Alcatraz have given almost $2 million to Gov. Ron DeSantis or the Florida Republican Party.[6] Congress must investigate whether or not the Alligator Alcatraz contracts are part of a corrupt pay to play scheme, but they cannot stop there. They must also hold these private prison contractors accountable for violations of human rights, environmental regulations, and tribal sovereignty. Sign and send a direct message to your members of Congress now. Working together, we can shut down Alligator Alcatraz. Hawwih (thank you) for standing up and demanding action today. Judith LeBlanc (Caddo) Executive Director DONATE TODAY [1] Florida tribe fights new 'Alligator Alcatraz' migrant facility near Everglades homes ; Seminole Tribe of Florida joins opposition to 'Alligator Alcatraz' in Everglades [2] Environmental groups sue to block opening of "Alligator Alcatraz" migrant detention center in Florida Everglades [3] Alligator Alcatraz detainees allege inhumane conditions at immigration detention center [4] First immigration detainees arrive at ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ in Florida Everglades [5] Trump’s private prison donors to gain from jailing migrants [6] Contractors building Alligator Alcatraz have donated money to Florida GOP, DeSantis