1. United States
2. Fla.
3. Letter

For decades, bipartisan Floridians and state officials have been passionate about caring for the magnificent ecosystems of this beautiful state, from the sandy beaches to the vast marshlands. Among them, however, one location stands above the rest: the Everglades. The Everglades is a singular environment, a place so unique that it is the only one of its kind in the entire world. It has been the homeland of Native Americans for millenia, a sanctuary for wildlife, and a place where Floridians and tourists of all walks of life come to hunt, fish, and explore. Putting an immigration detention center there would not only be inhumane and a waste of money, but it would be an utter disgrace to the entire state and everyone who lives here. The Everglades is not some patch of grass you can just bulldoze and think no one would notice or care. It is a home, a sacred place, a one-in-a-million ecosystem, a place where Floridians make their livelihood, and a place where tourists contribute to the state economy. This goes beyond Democrats vs. Republicans; Floridians across the political spectrum do not want this. Stop this publicity stunt that is “Alligator Alcatraz” and leave our precious wetlands alone.