Florida Sheriffs Association Leads New Push to Enforce Immigration Laws

Key Takeaways

Starting February 24, 2025, Florida’s 67 counties will collaborate with ICE under the 287(g) program to detain undocumented immigrants.
Florida has allocated $298 million toward immigration efforts, including hiring bonuses, training grants, and additional jail space reimbursements.
Undocumented adults convicted of capital felonies face the death penalty under new laws, with legal challenges expected.

Florida law enforcement is launching a major effort to address illegal immigration, driven by new policies and funding initiatives from state leaders. Starting February 24, 2025, all 67 counties will work closely with federal immigration officials to detain undocumented immigrants who have committed crimes. This collaboration marks a distinct change in Florida’s approach to managing illegal immigration. These efforts aim to reduce community crimes while handling complex legal and practical challenges.

Expanding Local Immigration Enforcement

Florida Sheriffs Association Leads New Push to Enforce Immigration Laws

Through its new agreements, the Florida Sheriffs Association has enlisted all county jails in the federal 287(g) program under Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The program allows local officers, under federal supervision, to act on immigration detainers. These are orders to keep individuals in custody for up to 48 hours until ICE can take them. Sheriffs involved in the initiative emphasize that the focus is solely on individuals who either have existing criminal charges or have previously violated immigration laws.

According to Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, these changes aim to protect public safety by making sure people with prior deportation orders or criminal backgrounds are quickly removed from the U.S. Sheriff Gualtieri explained, “The urgency lies in keeping individuals who have committed crimes from being released back into the community.”

The framework for this initiative comes from Senate Bill 2-C (SB 2-C), recently signed into law. This legal backing allows local authorities to actively assist in immigration enforcement—a task once limited to federal resources.

Preparing for a Swift Rollout

The new system depends on training local deputies to process and act on federal warrants, a role many officers have not played for years. This training will include a special “warrant service officer” certification. Sheriff Gualtieri believes the entire process could be ready within one to four weeks. Once operational, local officers will be able to address cases directly inside county jails, providing a more streamlined process.

Addressing Limits in Detention Space

However, the state faces immediate challenges, especially when it comes to detention space. Sheriff Gualtieri reports that Pinellas County alone holds undocumented immigrants for ICE under detainers. Across Florida, limited bed space at federal facilities has already maxed out, raising concerns about capacity to handle increasing detentions.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd has highlighted this as the “number one” logistical hurdle. If detention resources don’t expand, the ripple effects could place stress on local jails already dealing with high inmate populations.

Financial Investment and Legislative Support

Governor Ron DeSantis signed several measures on February 13, 2025, to back these enforcement efforts. The state has allocated $298 million to immigration-related programs. These funds will:

Add more than 50 officers specializing in immigration enforcement.
Include grants for local law enforcement agencies to cover training and equipment costs.
Fund hiring bonuses for officers assisting in federal operations.
Reimburse counties for leasing additional jail space.

These legislative steps show a notable commitment to increasing resource capacity for both federal and local efforts.

New Legal Penalties

Several new state-level laws were introduced to deter illegal immigration. One of the most discussed changes is the mandatory death penalty for undocumented immigrants convicted of committing a capital felony, such as first-degree murder. Observers expect this provision could face legal challenges.

Additionally, undocumented adults found illegally entering Florida can now face first-degree misdemeanor charges. Known as a stricter approach to entry violations, this move is paired with enhanced penalties for undocumented individuals who commit other misdemeanor offenses while in the state. Local policies governing tuition benefits have also changed. Beginning July 1, 2025, undocumented residents in the state will lose eligibility for in-state tuition rates at public colleges and universities.

New Oversight Authority

To ensure these policies are closely monitored, the state announced a new State Board of Immigration Enforcement. Larry Keefe was named executive director to guide this program. Keefe is known for his prior involvement with controversial migrant relocations, including sending migrants to destinations such as Martha’s Vineyard in 2022.

While this oversight board will coordinate much of Florida’s ramp-up in enforcement, key decisions on actual deportations remain under federal jurisdiction. Although Governor DeSantis initially proposed state authority for deportations, the final law kept removals under federal directives in alignment with existing laws. Still, Governor DeSantis has suggested that Florida could play a creative role in facilitating federal deportation strategies.

Results and Considerations for Immigration Communities

Although the state asserts that these changes target individuals with prior criminal activity or deportation orders, some activists have raised concerns about the broader impact. Immigrant communities may become hesitant to engage with law enforcement for fear of being caught up in detention policies. This could create challenges for building trust between authorities and the public.

Moreover, critics have pointed out several logistical and legal difficulties with this system. Overcrowded detention centers, high costs for enforcement, and potential lawsuits against controversial penalties could slow initial progress.

Despite these risks, proponents argue the new laws will make Florida communities safer by preventing repeat crimes. Sheriff Gualtieri claims these laws specifically limit arrests to those already under scrutiny for public safety threats. As he stated, “The idea is to focus where it will make the most difference.”

Challenges with Federal Partnerships

Federal collaboration is central to making these initiatives work smoothly. However, federal detention capacity and funding present uncertain variables. ICE has only limited resources available for Florida detentions, and demands from other states affect how quickly individuals can be processed and removed. These bottlenecks could lead to frustrations among local law enforcement managing detained populations for longer than the intended 48 hours.

Another issue may arise if courts challenge some parts of the law, including harsher penalties for undocumented individuals. Although the state has aggressively defended these measures, opponents may argue they go against federal limits on immigration regulation.

Impact of Funding and Monitoring Efforts

Florida’s $298 million investment in this initiative is unprecedented. While funding will cover immediate infrastructure and staffing needs, the long-term sustainability of these programs remains a question. Continued legislative scrutiny—and possibly adjustments—will likely determine whether these enforcement measures prove effective over time.

The newly created State Board of Immigration Enforcement will oversee spending and operational accountability, but most of their success hinges on maintaining cooperation with federal authorities.

Broader Implications

Florida’s new approach could inspire reforms in other states. Increased local and federal partnerships—like those under the 287(g) program—may gain traction elsewhere. Still, Florida’s aggressive stance raises essential questions about the balance between state and federal power in immigration enforcement, as well as the human impact on immigrant communities.

Final Thoughts

As implementation continues, the practical outcomes of Florida’s immigration reform will come into sharper focus. For now, this represents one of the most sweeping state-level crackdowns on illegal immigration in recent years. Lawmakers and enforcement bodies will closely monitor its effectiveness in achieving stated goals such as crime reduction and enhanced public safety.

Analysis from VisaVerge.com suggests that these changes highlight a national debate over how to balance individual states’ role in shaping immigration policy while respecting federal jurisdiction. Only time will tell whether Florida’s initiative becomes a model for others or faces scaling challenges. For detailed updates on related enforcement policies under Immigration and Customs Enforcement, you may visit the official ICE website here.

Learn Today

287(g) program → A federal initiative allowing local law enforcement to perform certain immigration enforcement duties under Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) supervision.
Detainer → A request from ICE to law enforcement to hold an individual for up to 48 hours beyond their release time.
Capital felony → A serious crime, such as first-degree murder, often punishable by the death penalty or life imprisonment.
Warrant service officer certification → A specialized training credential enabling local law enforcement to process and act on federal immigration warrants.
State Board of Immigration Enforcement → A newly established Florida authority to monitor and oversee state-level immigration enforcement policies and spending.

This Article in a Nutshell

Florida’s Bold Immigration Shift

Florida is ramping up immigration enforcement, activating all 67 county jails under ICE’s 287(g) program. Supported by $298 million in state funding, sheriffs target undocumented individuals with criminal records. While aimed at enhancing public safety, challenges like overcrowded detention centers and legal hurdles loom, shaping a contentious path forward in immigration policy.