Opponents ​of the facility ​contend, in part, that it could cause environmental damage in the surrounding Everglades and Big Cypress National Preserve.

This is an unprecedented situation where hundreds of detainees are held incommunicado, with no ability to access the courts, under legal authority that has never been explained and may not exist,” plaintiffs argued in a court filing.

Florida's top emergency official asked a federal judge on Monday to resist a request by environmentalists to halt Alligator Alcatraz operations.

A lawsuit claims detainees at Florida’s 'Alligator Alcatraz' are denied legal access, with no way to challenge their detention or contact attorneys.

The lawsuit says attorneys have been repeatedly turned away from the detention camp and had virtual meetings mysteriously canceled.

The lawsuit claims construction of the center violates a federal law requiring analysis of potential environmental harms