Native America Calling: Tribal concerns help derail fast-track for ‘Alligator Alcatraz’

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Native America Calling: Tribal concerns help derail fast-track for ‘Alligator Alcatraz’

Monday, August 25, 2025

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Tribal concerns help derail fast-track for ‘Alligator Alcatraz’

The Miccosukee Tribe of Florida scored at least a temporary legal victory when a federal judge halted construction and ordered parts of the facility dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz” removed.

The decision comes in the lawsuit by the tribe and environmental groups claiming work on the abandoned airport turned emergency immigrant detention center in Florida violates environmental and national preservation laws. The facility is on traditional Miccosukee land.

The Alligator Alcatraz facility in Ochopee, Florida, is operated by the state government as a detention facility for immigrants. Photo: Daniel Torok / White House

The federal Department of Homeland Security and Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, along with the state of Florida, see the compound as part of ramped-up immigrant deportation efforts. Tune into speak with Chairman Talbert Cypress of the Miccosukee Tribe.

Also, hear from Lakota artist Danielle SeeWalker. She recently settled a lawsuit with the city of Vail, Colorado, after officials cancelled a summer artist residency.

The cancellation came after SeeWalker posted a picture of a work criticizing Israel’s actions against the citizens of Gaza.