Florida sheriffs are joining forces with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain undocumented immigrants in jail. In a press conference in Polk County, more than 20 sheriffs from across the state announced their commitment to immigration enforcement. The program includes a “Warrant Service Officer” initiative, where ICE detainers will be served on individuals ready to leave jail, allowing ICE to take them into custody. The focus will be on criminal illegal aliens and those with deportation orders. However, concerns have been raised about holding individuals long-term without additional capacity from the federal government.
Sheriff Bob Gualtieri mentioned that ICE only has 2,000 beds in Florida and they are already full. While Pinellas County Jail is at capacity, Sheriff Prummell stated that he currently has room but may need more staffing if detainers are brought in. Along with the jail program, sheriffs are also working on a Street Task Force to augment ICE’s presence on the streets and assist in investigating and turning over undocumented immigrants with detainers. With 1.4 million undocumented immigrants in the country with active deportation orders, the sheriffs are aiming to have the jail program fully operational within the next 15 to 30 days. All 67 jails, both sheriff-run and county-run, have signed the Memorandum of Agreement for the program. The sheriffs stressed the complexity of immigration laws but are committed to learning and enforcing them effectively.
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