Federal lawsuit targets Alligator Alcatraz over alleged Clean Air Act violations in the Everglades

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. —

A national environmental organization has filed a federal lawsuit against Florida's emergency management chief, alleging the state's Alligator Alcatraz immigration detention center is operating in violation of the Clean Air Act because it was built and continues to operate without required air pollution permits.

According to a complaint filed May 27 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, the Center for Biological Diversity is suing Florida Division of Emergency Management Executive Director Kevin Guthrie in his official capacity over operations at the Everglades Detention Center, a migrant detention facility at the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport site in the Big Cypress region.

The lawsuit claims the facility, referred to as Alligator Alcatraz, relies on large numbers of diesel-powered generators, lighting towers and other equipment that emit air pollutants.

The environmental group argues the facility qualifies as a major source of air pollution and therefore should have obtained a Prevention of Significant Deterioration permit before construction began.

Court records state the detention center began construction around June 24, 2025, and was developed to hold up to 3,000 detainees. The complaint alleges Florida officials constructed and operated the facility without obtaining any Clean Air Act permits.

The Center for Biological Diversity contends the facility's emissions could affect air quality in Big Cypress National Preserve and nearby Everglades National Park. The lawsuit alleges the state failed to conduct required air-quality analyses, public-notice procedures and environmental reviews associated with the permitting process.

"The facility is considered a major source for air permitting purposes," the complaint states, citing findings from an environmental assessment referenced in the filing.

The lawsuit asks the court to declare that Florida violated the Clean Air Act, order the state to stop operating air-polluting equipment at the detention center until required permits are obtained, and impose civil penalties. The complaint notes federal regulations allow penalties of up to $124,426 per day for alleged violations.

Court records show a summons was issued to Guthrie on May 27. Under federal court rules, a response to the lawsuit will be required after service of the summons.

No response from Guthrie or the Florida Division of Emergency Management was included in the court filings.

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