Florida has strengthened its collaboration with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain and deport undocumented immigrants with criminal records. This is how the agreement works: the sheriffs of all 67 counties in the state have signed agreements with federal authorities to implement the 287(g) program, which allows local officers to work in coordination with ICE to identify and detain individuals in irregular immigration status. This effort aligns with the policy of the administration of President Donald Trump to accelerate deportations and strengthen immigration enforcement.
The agreement allows sheriffs in each county to participate in the Warrant Service Officer (WSO) program, which authorizes trained officers to execute immigration detention orders within local jails. As Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri explained during a press conference in Winter Haven: “The goal is to detain and deport illegal criminals, threats to public and national security, and those who have been deported and returned illegally as quickly as possible.”
How the Program Works and Immigrant Detentions
The initiative allows immigrants detained in local jails to be held for up to 48 hours before being transferred to ICE, preventing their release. As Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell explained, local officers can issue detention orders when an undocumented immigrant is arrested for another crime. “If they have an ICE detainer, our people can execute that order and keep them in custody until ICE picks them up,” Prummell stated during a press conference.
The WSO program is expected to be fully implemented within 15 to 30 days, with accelerated training for officers. Florida authorities claim this system will prevent individuals with criminal records from being released and reoffending. “It’s better to deport them directly from jail instead of letting them back out on the streets,” Gualtieri emphasized.
However, while the state is implementing the detention and deportation program, it faces a major limitation: a lack of space in jails. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd warned that the state’s prison system does not have enough beds to sustain the increase in detentions. According to Judd, federal authorities only have 2,000 beds in Florida, which are already occupied.
“There isn’t enough capacity in jails to make a significant difference. If more space isn’t created, the system will collapse within days,” Judd stated. The Florida Sheriffs Association is conducting an inventory of available beds to assess solutions. According to Fox News, meetings with ICE, held every Friday at 2 p.m., include discussions about expanding detention capacity in the state.
New State Laws Toughen Penalties
Ron DeSantis’ administration has backed the initiative with stricter laws against irregular immigration. During a special session of the Florida Legislature, SB 4-C was approved, making it a state crime to enter or attempt to enter Florida illegally. Those who violate this law face a mandatory nine-month jail sentence.
Additionally, the State Immigration Compliance Board was created, consisting of DeSantis himself, Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, Attorney General James Uthmeier, and Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis. This board, which must make decisions unanimously, appointed Larry Keefe, a former federal prosecutor, as its executive director.
Civil rights organizations have expressed concerns about the impact of the new measures. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Florida warned that these policies could lead to racial profiling and discrimination. “This law and the rhetoric surrounding it will encourage racial discrimination and fear in immigrant communities,” stated Kara Gross, the organization’s legislative director, according to WLRN.
However, sheriffs have rejected these accusations. Judd, from Polk County, dismissed these concerns as unfounded: “We’re tired of hearing that nonsense. There’s no room for that kind of argument. We’re just following the law and making sure criminals are deported,” he said.
Image: Infobae
