New Environmental Concerns at 'Alligator Alcatraz' Migrant Detention Center

New Construction at Alligator Alcatraz

• 🏗️ New construction is reportedly underway at the migrant detention facility in the Everglades, known as 'Alligator Alcatraz'.
• 📸 Aerial photos reveal what appears to be new sod being laid at the entrance and a freshly laid blacktop on a previously unpaved grassy area south of the runway.
• 🚗 A white-lined parking area is also visible in new photos, which was not present before the facility's designation.

State Administration's Response to Concerns

• 🗣️ The governor and administration have consistently stated that all construction is occurring within the existing airport footprint and that nothing new would be built.
• 🚛 Trucks carrying fill and asphalt have been observed, leading to questions about the nature of the work.
• 🚧 The administration has repeatedly countered environmental concerns and a lawsuit by stating that structures are temporary and will be removed after use.

Facility Details and Existing Infrastructure

• ⛺ The long tent housing, designed for a thousand beds, is situated on existing tarmac.
• 🚚 Trailers for up to a thousand employees appear to be located on the existing taxiway.
• 💧 Giant drums matching the state's description for porting human waste offsite have been observed.

Official Explanation for New Asphalt

• 📄 The Department of Emergency Management provided an explanation for the new asphalt, stating it covers a preexisting cement pad installed over 50 years ago.
• 🧐 They claim that over time, a thin layer of dirt and grass settled on top, and the asphalt is not new construction but rather on top of something already there.
• 🤷 This explanation may not satisfy environmentalists, but it suggests the state is attempting to adhere to its promises regarding construction.

Broader Concerns and Oversight

• ⚠️ Environmentalists and advocates have raised concerns about the facility's environmental impact and the well-being of detainees.
• ✉️ Miami Dade's mayor has sent letters expressing concerns about deaths at federal detention centers and is requesting access and oversight at this state-run facility.