The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has submitted a motion in the Southern District of Florida to avert any delays in the construction of the contentious “Alligator Alcatraz” immigration detention center located in the Everglades. This facility, intended for temporary detainees, is embroiled in a legal dispute following a lawsuit from environmental organizations aimed at stopping its construction.

The two groups, Friends of the Everglades Inc. and the Center for Biological Diversity, initiated the lawsuit on June 27, claiming that the project breaches the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) due to the absence of an environmental impact assessment. They also requested a temporary restraining order to halt any further construction.

Nevertheless, in a filing on Thursday, the DOJ firmly rejected this request, contending that pausing the project would disrupt essential immigration enforcement activities. Acting Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson highlighted the necessity of preventing delays, pointing out that overcrowding in current detention centers could endanger detainee safety and compromise national security.

“The construction of Florida’s temporary detention center is essential for addressing overcrowding and fulfilling immigration enforcement responsibilities,” Gustafson said in the statement.

Attorney General Pamela Bondi reiterated her support for the project, asserting that the lawsuit is driven by political motives and lacks substance. She emphasized that the Department of Justice has consistently backed President Trump’s immigration policies in legal matters.

On the other hand, environmental organizations argue that adequate environmental assessments have not been performed, raising concerns about the project’s potential long-term impact on the Everglades ecosystem. The case is currently being managed by lawyers from the DOJ’s Environment and Natural Resources Division.

Bestseller #1