(FLORIDA) A new proposal in the state Capitol, known as the Shane Jones Act (HB 229), would let families sue if a loved one is killed by a noncitizen and would fine police departments that refuse to work with federal immigration agents. Filed in 2025 and now moving through committees, the bill would impose $10,000 penalties on law enforcement agencies that decline to enter into 287(g) partnerships with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Money collected from those fines would fund payments to families if the killing happened on or after July 1, 2026 and the family files a claim with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
Supporters say the measure is aimed at local agencies that keep “sanctuary” rules or avoid cooperation with ICE. The proposal arrives as Florida leaders push for tighter links between state officers and federal immigration authorities, part of a wider campaign to involve more agencies in immigration enforcement. As of October 22, 2025, the bill remains under consideration and is not yet law.
What the Shane Jones Act Would Do
- Allow civil lawsuits by families of people killed by noncitizens when a local agency had “sanctuary” limits or did not cooperate with ICE through 287(g) partnerships.
- Require the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) to assess a $10,000 fine against any agency that refuses to enter a 287(g) agreement with ICE.
- Direct fine revenue into an FDLE-managed fund to compensate eligible families.
- Limit compensation to crimes that occur on or after July 1, 2026, and require families to file a claim with FDLE.
Important: Crimes that took place before July 1, 2026 would not qualify for payments from this FDLE-managed fund.
Background on 287(g)
287(g) is a voluntary federal program that allows local officers, after ICE training and under ICE supervision, to perform certain immigration enforcement tasks. These can include:
- Checking immigration status in jails
- Placing immigration detainers
- Helping ICE process people believed to be removable under federal law
Federal officials sign agreements with sheriffs or police departments that want to participate. For an official overview, readers can consult ICE’s page on the program at ICE 287(g) Program.
Recent State Actions and Context
Florida has already expanded 287(g)-style partnerships in 2025, with several state agencies entering new memoranda with ICE, including:
- Florida Department of Law Enforcement
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
- Florida State Guard
- Florida Highway Patrol
The Shane Jones Act would extend pressure to local sheriffs and police chiefs by tying real dollars to cooperation choices. FDLE would levy the $10,000 fines and manage the compensation fund, with payouts limited to qualifying incidents on or after July 1, 2026.
Supporters’ Arguments
Proponents argue:
- Refusing to sign 287(g) partnerships risks public safety and leaves communities exposed.
- The bill creates a clear line of responsibility if an agency rejects federal cooperation.
- The fines ensure money flows directly to victims’ families, providing a more immediate remedy than waiting for civil judgments.
An analysis by VisaVerge.com places Florida’s moves within a broader trend of states linking funding or liability to local immigration enforcement decisions.
Critics’ Concerns
Critics — including immigrant advocates and some law enforcement leaders — warn of several harms:
- Fewer crime tips and weaker witness cooperation if residents fear contact with police could trigger immigration checks.
- Erosion of trust in communities with mixed-status families, making victims less likely to report domestic abuse or other crimes.
- Confusion over who counts as a “noncitizen,” potentially affecting green card holders or long-term visa holders.
- Training, paperwork, and staffing burdens on small departments that may be ill-equipped to take on federal immigration roles.
Police chiefs in other states have long expressed similar concerns that linking routine policing to immigration enforcement can fray community relationships essential to solving crimes.
Practical Effects and Implications
If enacted, the bill would change the incentives for local agencies:
- Agencies that avoid 287(g) could face repeated $10,000 fines and potential lawsuits after deadly crimes involving noncitizens.
- Some sheriffs and chiefs might sign agreements to avoid penalties, even when they have reservations about community impact or resource constraints.
- For victims’ families, the bill promises a state-managed compensation route in addition to civil suits.
Law enforcement leaders are divided:
- Some support 287(g) as a jail-based screening tool that occurs after booking, which they say limits community fears.
- Others say tying fines to federal deals removes local control and stresses small agencies.
- A number of chiefs stress that trust-building, outreach, language access, and policies that separate victims/witnesses from immigration matters remain crucial for solving serious crimes.
Political and Legal Considerations
- The Shane Jones Act sits amid a heated national debate over undocumented immigrants, state power, and local autonomy.
- Florida’s prior actions under the DeSantis administration have already increased pressure for cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
- The road ahead is uncertain: amendments could change who can sue, how the $10,000 fines operate, or how FDLE administers claims.
- Court challenges are possible if the measure passes, especially over state mandates on local agencies and questions of preemption.
What to Watch Next
- The bill’s status as of October 22, 2025: introduced and under committee review, not enacted.
- Possible amendments affecting:
- Eligibility to sue
- Fine structure and enforcement
- FDLE claim procedures and evidentiary standards
- Potential legal challenges on constitutional and preemption grounds.
For residents, police departments, and county attorneys: track changes to eligibility rules and the July 1, 2026 start date. Agencies weighing 287(g) should evaluate costs, training, and community relations alongside the possibility of penalties. Immigrant communities will need clear, plain-language guidance from local leaders about what the proposal would mean for everyday safety and crime reporting.
This Article in a Nutshell
The Shane Jones Act (HB 229), introduced in Florida in 2025, would allow families to sue and create a state-managed compensation fund when a loved one is killed by a noncitizen, contingent on local agencies’ cooperation with ICE through 287(g) partnerships. Agencies that refuse to enter 287(g) agreements would face $10,000 fines assessed by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement; collected fines would fund payouts for crimes occurring on or after July 1, 2026, and families must file claims with FDLE. Supporters argue the bill enforces accountability and public safety, while critics warn it could reduce community trust, decrease crime reporting, impose administrative burdens on small departments, and provoke legal challenges over state mandates and federal preemption. As of October 22, 2025, the bill is under committee review and not enacted.
