“Alligator Alcatraz” —
Our work to stop one of America’s WORST ideas:
Friends of the Everglades was founded by Marjory Stoneman Douglas in 1969 to stop the Everglades Jetport, protecting a vital stretch of wilderness from destructive development. When Friends learned that the same land was under threat again — this time from a proposal to build a massive detention center, dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz,” we led the fight once more.
Within days of Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier’s announcement of construction of the facility, we filed a landmark lawsuit to stop the environmental catastrophe. Hundreds gathered in front of the site as massive infrastructure was brought in and construction began. An early victory temporarily halted the project when Federal District Judge Kathleen Williams banned the arrival of new detainees and ordered a winding down of operations. Just two weeks later, an appeals court in Atlanta paused that order and the site resumed operations for 358 days. It is estimated that 22,000 people were detained throughout the facility’s operation.
Friends of the Everglades sued for public records that were withheld by the state and won, leading to the unveiling of the extent of the boondoggle. Over a million dollars per day to run the facility and innumerable risks to the Everglades, which we analyzed and documented in the absence of lawful environmental review.
We are poised to continue our fight in court and with your help, we will continue to defend the land and water that inspired our founder to never give up.
Timeline of Events –
This timeline will be updated.
In the Press –
Here’s How You Can Help –
Hold Them Accountable
We are committed to securing permanent protections for the Jetport property and ensuring this blatant disregard for environmental law won’t happen again. Follow our work on Legislative Accountability for more.
Rescue the River of Grass
Threats to the Everglades go beyond “Alligator Alcatraz”; find out more about our plan to Rescue the River of Grass and join the movement to finish the job of Everglades restoration.
Fund the Fight
We created the Everglades Defense Fund in August 2025 to fuel our landmark lawsuit against “Alligator Alcatraz” — and ensure we’re ready to take on future threats to the Everglades. If you can, please donate now.
Latest News –
‘Alligator Alcatraz’ is STILL open — and we’re still fighting
If we’ve learned one thing since “Alligator Alcatraz” was built on hallowed ground in the Everglades last summer, it’s this: We can’t take government assertions about the detention center at face value. “Aligator Alcatraz” was planned in secret. Built [...]
We won’t stop fighting until “Alligator Alcatraz” is officially shut down
Reports say “Alligator Alcatraz” may be closing, but we’re keeping our foot on the gas The end is near for “Alligator Alcatraz.” It can’t come soon enough. Ten months after DeSantis appointee James Uthmeier announced the [...]
Alligator Alcatraz Could Shut Down in June
For Immediate Release, May 12,2026 Alligator Alcatraz Could Shut Down in June MIAMI— The massive detention center in the heart of the Everglades known as “Alligator Alcatraz” is slated to be closed in June, according to reports from vendors [...]
A Legacy of Protection
Friends of the Everglades was founded in 1969 by Marjory Stoneman Douglas in response to plans to construct the so-called Everglades Jetport — a massive airport proposed for 39 square miles of wetlands in Eastern Big Cypress — the heart of the Everglades. A 1969 report warned the project could “destroy the South Florida ecosystem and thus the Everglades National Park.” Fortunately, the project was halted after a single jetport runway was built because thousands of Floridians rose up to oppose it. We won that first fight before irreversible harm was done.
Today, the mass detention center dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz” threatens that very same space.
This is our origin story. Marjory’s work to oppose the Everglades Jetport was a catalyst for the 1970 adoption of the National Environmental Policy Act and the 1974 creation of the Big Cypress National Preserve. A half-century later, we’re reengaged in the fight and honored to do so.
