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Less than 15 months after opening with the presidential tour and plenty of fanfare
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Florida's Alligator Alcatraz is closing. CBS News reports state officials have ordered the full demobilization
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of the controversial immigration detention center in the Florida Everglades, with contractors told to begin dismantling the site this week
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The government transferred out the final detainees last week. Officials initially cited hurricane season concerns
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But CBS reports the closure had been planned as part of a broader shutdown effort
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The facility was championed by President Trump and Governor Ron DeSantis as a model for immigration enforcement
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and processed more than 20,000 detainees since opening last July. But it also faced criticism from immigration advocates and human rights groups over conditions inside
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while the cost of operating the facility reportedly ballooned to about $1.2 billion
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dollars. Once the teardown is complete, the site is expected to return to its previous use
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as a small airport and pilot training facility
