Shut Down Alligator Alcatraz. Tell Congress to Investigate and Hold Accountable Private Contractors for Violations of Human Rights, Environmental Regulations and Tribal Sovereignty Now.

Donald Trump and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis have taken a decommissioned airport in the Everglades surrounded on all sides by the Big Cypress National Preserve and illegally built an ICE detention camp intended to imprison up to 5,000 immigrants.

They’re calling it Alligator Alcatraz.

Big Cypress has been home for the Miccosukee and Seminole Nations for centuries. They have stewarded its lands and waters -- sacred cultural sites and ceremonial grounds are scattered throughout -- and hundreds of Native peoples still live in more than a dozen remaining traditional villages.

In an outright violation of Tribal sovereignty, no one consulted either Tribe.[1] Federal environmental regulations were tossed aside.[2] And conditions for detainees are reportedly inhumane.

[3]Built on the 10,500-foot runaway, the entire complex consists of large tents, mobile trailers, and portable restrooms and showers. Generators typically designed to provide temporary power are being used for electricity, including limited air conditioning. It is expected to cost at least $450 million a year.

[4]The site has already been built, the first detainees have arrived and environmental groups are suing to stop it, but there’s more that can be done.

CoreCivic, one of the nation's largest private jail operators, isn’t just the company brought in to run it, they’re also a huge Republican donor. CoreCivic contributed $500,000 and its president, Damon Hininger, donated another $300,000 to Donald Trump.[5] They aren’t alone. At least nine state contractors involved in the creation of Alligator Alcatraz have given almost $2 million to Gov. Ron DeSantis or the Florida Republican Party.

[6]Congress must investigate whether or not the Alligator Alcatraz contracts are part of a corrupt pay to play scheme, but they cannot stop there. They must also hold these private prison contractors accountable for violations of human rights, environmental regulations, and tribal sovereignty.

Experts say the detention center’s design is flawed and will compromise the safety of people being held there. Video posted by the administration on social media even showed water already covering the ground dangerously near electricity cables during a storm as the first detainees were due to arrive. Detainees have already reported inhumane conditions, including one meal a day, maggots in food, and no water available for showers.

In the last 10 years, Florida has been hit by 13 hurricanes, seven have been category three or higher. Obviously, as Dr Patrick McSharry, Professor at Carnegie Mellon University and former head of catastrophe risk financing at Oxford University, told Sky News "there's no way that a tent is going to be in any way something that you would advise someone to be in” during a hurricane of any strength.

[7]According to the Center for Biological Diversity, the site and the wetlands immediately surrounding it is habitat for the endangered Florida panther and other iconic species. The waste water and other contaminants from the center threatens the entire Everglades ecosystem.

[8][1] Florida tribe fights new 'Alligator Alcatraz' migrant facility near Everglades homes ; Seminole Tribe of Florida joins opposition to 'Alligator Alcatraz' in Everglades
[2] Environmental groups sue to block opening of "Alligator Alcatraz" migrant detention center in Florida Everglades
[3] Alligator Alcatraz detainees allege inhumane conditions at immigration detention center
[4] First immigration detainees arrive at ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ in Florida Everglades
[5] Trump’s private prison donors to gain from jailing migrants
[6] Contractors building Alligator Alcatraz have donated money to Florida GOP, DeSantis
[7] The 'Alligator Alcatraz' detention centre was built in eight days - but problems are emerging
[8] Environmental groups sue to block opening of "Alligator Alcatraz" migrant detention center in Florida Everglades