In an announcement made in Tampa, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis proposed an innovative plan for the state to take a more proactive role in enforcing immigration laws, without relying entirely on the federal government. This announcement marks a significant shift in the state’s immigration policy, allowing the Florida National Guard to act as judges in immigration cases with the goal of streamlining the legal deportation process. The initiative was presented amid growing tensions and debates over immigration policies in the United States, particularly in states with large immigrant populations, such as Florida.
The governor’s proposal includes using over 100 officers from the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) as deputy sheriffs under the 287(g) agreement. This agreement grants these officers the ability to act almost like immigration officers, allowing them to execute federal orders and proceed with the deportation of individuals deemed dangerous. During a press conference, DeSantis emphasized that this effort is unique in the country, as it enables state officers to carry out immigration operations “completely independent of federal agents.”
Historical Context and “Black Tide”
Florida’s involvement in immigration policy is not new. The state, which hosts a significant number of immigrants according to the American Immigration Council, has been a leader in implementing policies aligned with the administration of President Donald Trump. DeSantis has noted that recent state laws have banned so-called “sanctuary cities,” a measure aimed at ensuring that all cities and counties cooperate with federal immigration authorities.
One of the most significant operations reflecting this approach is called “Black Tide.” Conducted in collaboration with seven local agencies and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) service, this operation resulted in the detention of over 1,120 immigrants, setting a state record and highlighting effective collaboration between local forces and ICE. The governor described this operation as a model to follow, in which local forces played a crucial role in detentions and initial deportation proceedings.
Collaboration Between Agencies
The expanded role of the FHP under the 287(g) agreement has sparked various reactions from the legal community and human rights advocates. Hujber, an immigration attorney in Boynton Beach, expressed concern about the training FHP officers are receiving, emphasizing the importance of adequately preparing officers to handle detentions and questions related to immigration status. Some officers now work in direct collaboration with Customs agents, traveling together to reinforce operations.
DeSantis’ strategy not only seeks to expand the role of the FHP but also to increase the state’s detention capacity. Through new detention centers and an expanded network of agencies working under the 287(g) agreement, Florida aims to boost its ability to address the number of undocumented immigrants. This cooperation is part of a broader strategy by the Trump administration to mobilize all possible resources in the mass execution of deportations, a central commitment of Trump’s 2024 campaign.
Florida is positioning itself as a pioneer in immigration law enforcement, standing out for its independent approach and its ability to act with minimal federal intervention. In a recent statement, DeSantis underscored that by granting these powers to officers, wait times for ICE to intervene in arrests are reduced.
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