A Florida immigration detention facility located in the Everglades that opened in July under Governor Ron DeSantis may be shutting down due to high operational costs, according to state and federal officials.

The facility, which has been referred to as 'Alligator Alcatraz' due to its remote location in the Everglades, was established by the Republican governor as part of the state's immigration enforcement efforts. The center has been used to hold immigrants in federal custody.

State officials have cited massive operational costs as the primary factor behind the potential closure. The remote location and infrastructure requirements have made the facility expensive to maintain and operate effectively.

The closure discussions come as the facility is being considered for shutdown in favor of permanent detention sites that would be more cost-effective to operate. Federal and state officials are currently in discussions about the timeline and process for potentially winding down operations at the Everglades location.

The facility's future remains under review as officials weigh the financial sustainability of maintaining operations at the current site versus transitioning to alternative detention arrangements.