Uthmeier Expands Weigh Stations Into Immigration Checkpoints

(LIVE OAK, FLORIDA) Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier on August 25, 2025, ordered a sweeping expansion of immigration enforcement at the state’s truck weigh stations, declaring that all 23 inspection stations will now function as immigration checkpoints. Standing at DACS Agriculture Inspection Station No. 6B in Live Oak, Florida, he said the change takes effect immediately and is anchored in the federal 287(g) Program, which allows trained state officers to carry out certain federal immigration duties in partnership with ICE.

At the Live Oak event, Uthmeier was joined by Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Commissioner Wilton Simpson, FDACS Colonel Rick “Lee” Adams, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Acting Executive Associate Director Garrett Ripa, and U.S. Border Patrol Miami Deputy Chief Samuel Briggs II. Federal partners praised the high level of coordination and the expansion of 287(g) operations across inspection stations that already screen agricultural cargo and commercial vehicles.

Uthmeier tied the decision to a deadly crash on August 12, 2025, that has stirred public anger and renewed calls for tighter checks. According to state officials, the truck driver—reportedly in the U.S. unlawfully—was accused of making an illegal U-turn that killed three people and had previously failed English proficiency tests. Records cited by Florida show the driver received commercial driver’s licenses in Washington (2023) and California (2024), raising questions about out-of-state CDL issuance and enforcement oversight.

Policy Details and Timeline

Under the new approach, Uthmeier said 100% of FDACS law enforcement officers are now certified under the 287(g) authority. That status lets officers at weigh stations:

• Verify a driver’s immigration status
• Check required English skills for CDL holders
• Detain those believed to be in the country unlawfully while operating large commercial vehicles

The state emphasized that inspection stations will continue their regular agricultural and safety work while adding targeted immigration checks.

Inspection teams will review:
– Immigration status of commercial drivers
– English proficiency (required by federal CDL rules)
– Validity of driver’s licenses and detection of fraudulent documents
– Agricultural inspections, plus interdiction of human smuggling and unsafe vehicles

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the expansion means all Florida weigh stations and agricultural inspection points now serve as immigration checkpoints as of August 25, 2025. Uthmeier also said he is sending a formal request to the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration urging them to revoke CDL program authority and federal funding from California and Washington, citing their issuance of licenses to undocumented drivers.

The state stressed the program is designed to remove unqualified or unlawfully present drivers from the road and, in cases involving serious crimes, seek prison terms prior to deportation. Supporters argue the shift uses existing inspection stations as “force multipliers,” allowing trained agricultural law enforcement to screen more drivers without building a new checkpoint system from scratch.

The move relies on expanded state-federal cooperation through the 287(g) framework, which has been used in different ways across the country for years. ICE notes that 287(g) partnerships allow selected state or local officers, after federal training and supervision, to perform certain immigration functions. For an overview of the program, see the official ICE page: https://www.ice.gov/identifyandarrest/287g.

Important: The expansion is in effect as of August 25, 2025 and applies to all 23 Florida inspection stations.

Practical Impact on Drivers and Carriers

For commercial drivers entering Florida, the new checkpoint rules change what to expect at weigh stations and agricultural inspection points. Officers trained under 287(g) will now fold immigration checks into the existing process.

Drivers should plan for possible questions about work authorization and be ready to show valid identification and CDL documents.

Step-by-step process at Florida inspection stations (effective August 25, 2025)

1. Stop at the designated weigh station or agricultural inspection point when directed.
2. Present a valid CDL and supporting identification without delay.
3. Complete an English proficiency assessment if an officer requests it, consistent with federal CDL requirements.
4. Cooperate with immigration status verification, including checks for fraudulent documents.
5. Expect referral to ICE or Border Patrol if officers suspect unlawful status or serious document problems.

State officials said the policy involves heightened screening of out-of-state CDL holders, with special focus on licenses issued in jurisdictions viewed by Florida as having “sanctuary” policies. That does not mean automatic detention of drivers from any specific state, but it signals additional scrutiny for document validity and English skills.

Carriers should:
– Prepare drivers for likely questions and document checks
– Refresh training on document handling and English proficiency requirements
– Plan schedules that account for extra time at inspection stations during the initial rollout

Rationale, Support, and Concerns

The August 12 crash remains central to Florida’s case for urgent action. Uthmeier vowed to pursue prosecution of the driver in that incident and seek a lengthy prison sentence prior to deportation. He framed the inspection initiative as a direct way to prevent similar tragedies, stating that unqualified or unlawfully present drivers in control of heavy trucks pose risks to both the motoring public and farm communities.

Supporters of the plan, including FDACS leaders and federal partners at the Live Oak announcement, say the added checks will:
– Discourage unlawful activity around commercial trucking
– Catch fake or improper CDLs
– Keep unsafe vehicles off Florida roads
– Make practical use of existing infrastructure by expanding the role of inspection stations

FDACS Commissioner Wilton Simpson highlighted the specialized training of agricultural law enforcement and described inspection stations as a tool that can expand state-federal cooperation. ICE and U.S. Border Patrol officials on site praised the collaboration, saying the 287(g) expansion should improve information sharing and speed referrals for detention when needed.

Critics were not quoted at the event, but historically, policies like these have faced challenges. Typical concerns include:
– Potential racial profiling
– Long delays for law-abiding drivers
– Court fights over the scope of state authority in federal immigration matters

Florida officials did not address litigation risks in detail but emphasized their officers’ 287(g) certification and coordination with federal agencies.

Next Steps and Federal Interaction

Florida’s letter to federal transportation authorities concerning California and Washington remains pending. Any federal response that affects CDL program authority or funding in those states could trigger further policy shifts. Until then, the Florida checkpoint policy is in force, and state leaders signaled they could expand or adjust procedures as federal partners respond.

For drivers who hold proper authorization and valid CDLs, the process should resemble a more detailed version of the usual stop: show documents, answer basic questions, and continue the trip. For those without valid status or with fraudulent papers, officers now have clear authority to detain and refer cases to federal partners from the inspection stations themselves.