Join vigil at Alligator Alcatraz
Since the publication of my op ed on Alligator Alcatraz on behalf of Interfaith Alliance of Southwest Florida, I’ve heard from many readers who thought that the detention camp had been shut down. Although there have been several legal challenges to the camp, it has been fully operational almost continuously since July 1, 2025.
Here are the facts to date. On August 21, 2025 − in response to a lawsuit filed by Friends of the Everglades, the Center for Biological Diversity and the Miccosukee Tribe − a federal judge ordered the facility to begin winding down operations because it was built without a proper environmental review. However, in a 2-1 decision on September 4, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit temporarily blocked this lower court decision and this disgrace in our backyard continued to operate. More lawsuits have been filed based on denial of inmates’ due process rights, but so far have not been resolved.
Other readers asked how they could take action. First, spread the word that the detention center is fully operational and that violations of due process and human rights have continued…