DeSantis announces new measure to expedite the deportations of undocumented individuals in Florida

Florida police now have the authority to make arrests of undocumented immigrants following the expansion of the 287(g) program announced by Governor Ron DeSantis.

This agreement with the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) allows local law enforcement agencies to act as federal immigration agents, identifying, processing, and detaining individuals in irregular situations.

This movement, which involves all 67 sheriff departments in the state, makes Florida the only state where all of its counties participate in this cooperation scheme.

Florida will not be a sanctuary state

From Homestead Air Base, DeSantis reiterated his position that Florida will not be a "sanctuary state" for undocumented immigrants.

Accompanied by Keith Pearson, advisor to the Department of Homeland Security, the governor emphasized that this agreement aims to strengthen the enforcement of immigration law and align with the policies of former President Donald Trump.

"If all states did the same, this problem would disappear much more quickly," DeSantis stated.

"His communities will be safer, and taxpayers will have less burden on their shoulders," he added.

The 287(g) program allows local agents to be trained by ICE to identify, arrest, and process undocumented immigrants with pending charges.

In addition, state authorities are expected to collaborate in operations to enforce immigration laws in their regular activities.

Details of the agreement and expanded functions of law enforcement

The agreements signed with ICE authorize sheriffs and local agents to carry out immigration detention orders within state and municipal jails.

According to Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, the goal is to "stop and deport illegal criminals, threats to public and national security, as well as those who have been deported and returned illegally, as quickly as possible."

The program is divided into three main models:

Compliance model in prison: It focuses on the identification and processing of undocumented individuals who are already in custody for other offenses.

Workgroup Model: Allows law enforcement agents to enforce immigration laws during their daily duties.

Order of Service Officers Program (WSO): Authorizes trained agents to execute administrative orders from ICE in local jails.

As explained by Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell, "if there is an ICE hold, our people can execute that order and keep them in custody until ICE picks them up."

Political implications and controversies

DeSantis has positioned this agreement as a key strategy in his immigration policy, presenting Florida as a leader in the enforcement of immigration laws.

According to the governor, this measure aims to correct what he considers the "open borders agenda" of the Joe Biden administration.

"When Biden was president, there were people who were just there knowingly. They knew that some of these individuals were there and simply chose to do nothing about it," DeSantis stated.

"Those days are over, and I'm glad that Florida is part of the solution," he added.

However, the implementation of the program has generated criticism from human rights advocacy groups.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Florida warned about the risk of racial discrimination and the deterioration of trust between immigrant communities and local authorities.

"This law and the rhetoric surrounding it will promote racial discrimination and fear in immigrant communities," stated Kara Gross, legislative director of the ACLU in Florida.

The Polk County Sheriff, Grady Judd, dismissed these concerns and labeled them as "unfounded."

"We are tired of hearing that nonsense. There is no room for that kind of argument. We are just following the law and making sure that criminals are deported," he stated.

Challenges in implementation: Lack of space in prisons

One of the main obstacles to the implementation of the program is the lack of space in the state's prisons.

According to Grady Judd, "there is not enough capacity in the jails to make a significant difference. If more spaces are not created, the system will collapse in days."

The Florida Sheriffs Association is evaluating possible solutions and expansions in coordination with ICE.

At the same time, the government of Florida has allocated 250 million dollars to support law enforcement's intervention in the arrest and processing of undocumented immigrants.

This budget is part of a recently approved legislative package that tightens sanctions against irregular immigration.

New state laws and reinforcement of immigration control

As part of his strategy to strengthen the fight against illegal immigration, DeSantis has promoted state legislation that includes:

-Criminalization of illegal entry or attempted entry into Florida, with penalties of up to nine months in jail.

-Mandatory detention of up to 48 hours for immigrants held before being turned over to ICE.

Mandatory implementation of E-Verify for all employers, including small businesses with fewer than 25 employees, to verify the immigration status of their workers.

Democratic Senator Jason Pizzo criticized the measures by stating that "Republicans are not doing enough to address the problem at its root, which is the hiring of undocumented workers."

DeSantis responded by assuring that his administration will work to have the Legislature approve the bill as soon as possible: "We want to make sure it becomes law as soon as possible."

With the expansion of the 287(g) program, Florida establishes itself as a pioneer state in the implementation of restrictive immigration measures.

Frequently Asked Questions About the New Immigration Measure in Florida