(NewsNation) — A battle between environmentalists and the federal government is playing out in court this week over the immigration detention center in Florida known as “Alligator Alcatraz.”

During a hearing Wednesday, lawyers for two conservation groups, as well as the Miccosukee Tribe, argued the federal government did not follow environmental laws before constructing the detention center in June.

Environmental effects of 'Alligator Alcatraz'

The groups are due back in court Thursday morning, according to ABC News. They are calling for a federal judge to issue an injunction to cease operations, arguing the Florida Everglades wetlands are home to protected animals and plants and that the facility's construction reversed billions of dollars’ worth of environmental restoration.

The laws

See Full Page