1. United States
2. Mo.
3. Letter

I’m writing about the ICE detention center that has been opened in the Florida Everglades surrounded on all sides by the Big Cypress National Preserve. 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. Federal environmental regulations were tossed aside. 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 covering the ground dangerously near electricity cables during a storm as the first detainees were due to arrive. In the last 10 years, Florida has been hit by 13 hurricanes; seven have been category three or higher. Yet the facility consists of tents, portable bathrooms, and generators. The detainees have already reported inhumane conditions, including one meal a day, maggots in food, and no water available for showers. The Center for Biological Diversity, the site, and the wetlands immediately surrounding it are habitat for the endangered Florida panther and other iconic species. The waste water and other contaminants from the center threaten the entire Everglades ecosystem. And finally, 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. They aren’t alone. At least nine state contractors involved in the creation of the inhumane detention center have given almost $2 million to Gov. Ron DeSantis or the Florida Republican Party. In case you’re not longer able to recognize corruption, that’s what it looks like. Congress must investigate whether or not the contracts are part of a corrupt pay-to-play scheme, but you cannot stop there. You must also hold these private prison contractors accountable for violations of human rights, environmental regulations and tribal sovereignty. SHUT IT DOWN, NOW.