1. United States
2. Fla.
3. Letter

The imminent construction of the "Alligator Alcatraz" immigrant detention center in the Florida Everglades raises grave concerns. This facility, hastily erected under an emergency order, threatens to inflict severe environmental damage on a fragile ecosystem that is home to endangered species and Native American tribes with sacred ancestral lands. Its very name dehumanizes those detained, portraying them as dangerous criminals rather than human beings seeking safety and opportunity. We urge an immediate halt to construction until a comprehensive environmental review is conducted and public input is sought. The rights of indigenous peoples, the preservation of vital wetlands, and the humane treatment of immigrants must take precedence over harsh enforcement measures that disregard ecological impacts and human dignity. A project of this magnitude demands full transparency, not rushed actions driven by a misguided immigration crackdown. The Everglades is a natural treasure that belongs to all, and we have a collective duty to safeguard it from reckless development that could irreparably scar this unique wilderness. Upholding environmental protections and human rights is not at odds with sensible immigration policies - it is a moral imperative we cannot afford to neglect.