“Alligator Alcatraz” —
Our work to stop one of America’s WORST ideas:

State of Florida and the Florida Division of Emergency Management sends a letter of intent to Miami-Dade and Collier counties to purchase the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport for “Alligator Alcatraz,” offers $20 million.

At the call of Miccosukee tribal elder Betty Osceola, hundreds protest at the entrance to the site.

Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava replies to the state, requests environmental analysis and data about price being offered.

State of Florida and the Florida Division of Emergency Management  sends notice of intent to utilize the property without answering Mayor Cava’s questions, starts bringing in trucks for construction of the site, citing “emergency powers”.

• Friends of the Everglades sends a letter to Gov. DeSantis asking him to kill the “Alligator Alcatraz” proposal.

Friends of the Everglades and Center for Biological Diversity file a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Florida Division of Emergency Management and Miami-Dade County to halt activity at the site so a legally mandated environmental impact analysis can be completed.

President Trump visits “Alligator Alcatraz” with federal and state officials, including Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who posts on social media that “the site will be funded largely by FEMA’s Shelter and Services Program.”

The first detainees begin arriving at the detention center. Light pollution visible from about 15 miles away is documented in an area previously recognized for having some of the best dark skies in the Southeastern United States.

Friends of the Everglades and the Center for Biological Diversity file a notice of intent to sue, citing federal and state failures to protect wetlands, endangered wildlife and critical ecological resources.

The Miccosukee Tribe of Indians’ request to join the case as a co-plaintiff is granted by Judge Kathleen Williams.

Judge Kathleen Williams granted Friends of the Everglades and partners a 14-day temporary restraining order halting new construction at the detention center.

Judge Kathleen Williams halts operations at Everglades detention center with preliminary injunction.

In a 2-1 decision, an appeals court in Atlanta paused an Aug. 21 preliminary injunction that had halted the arrival of new detainees and ordered a dismantling of the mass detention center within 60 days.

Friends of the Everglades file a new lawsuit against the state of Florida for failing to disclose public records related to Alligator Alcatraz.

Friends of the Everglades and Center for Biological Diversity file brief to Appeals Court in response to the U.S. Department of Homeland
Security and Florida’s appeal of a district court order.

The groups also filed a motion seeking to add new information to the case, including confirmation that the federal government would fund the detention facility and that Florida had formally taken steps to obtain that funding.

State Court orders Florida Division of Emergency Management to comply with Friends of the Everglades public records requests on ICE Detention Center

Public records show AA costing $1.2 million/day.

The Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals hears oral arguments after months of delay.

The Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, in a 2-1 decision, overturn the preliminary injunction to halt construction and allow the legal challenges to proceed in the federal district court in Miami

The New York Times reports that agency officials are in discussions to close “Alligator Alcatraz”.

Vendors on site are told that operations are closing in early June.

Conflicting reports from Florida Division of Emergency Management Director, Kevin Guthrie:  “This is potentially going to be a two-year option, or maybe even longer depending on the needs of the federal government,” he said.

Orlando Congressman Maxwell Frost visits “Alligator Alcatraz” and observes subtle signs that operations are winding down.

WINK News reports that the federal government has removed detainees from “Alligator Alcatraz”.

DeSantis holds a press conference in Ochopee, at the site of “Alligator Alcatraz,” to announce its closure.

Friends of the Everglades sends A 5-point Plan for Remediation, Restoration, and Protection of the Everglades After “Alligator Alcatraz” to Mayor Levine Cava following the official closure announcement and in response to the Mayor’s statement on permanent protections of the site.