Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has warned Orange County leaders they could be removed from office if they do not approve a new ICE agreement by August 5, 2025. The agreement would require county corrections officers to transport immigration detainees to federal detention centers, including the “Alligator Alcatraz” facility in the Everglades. This move follows the Orange County Commission’s recent rejection of the transport addendum, which sparked a heated debate over staffing, costs, and the policy’s impact on the community.
In March 2025, Orange County became the last of Florida’s 67 counties to sign a 287(g) agreement with ICE. This agreement allows local officers to enforce some federal immigration laws and hold ICE detainees in the county jail. However, when asked to approve an addendum requiring officers to transport detainees to ICE facilities, the commission said no. They cited concerns about staffing shortages, budget strain, and the morality of the policy.
Attorney General Uthmeier responded on July 29, 2025, with a formal letter to Mayor Jerry Demings and the commissioners. He demanded immediate approval of the ICE addendum and threatened civil and criminal penalties, including removal from office under section 908.107, Florida Statutes. Uthmeier insists that rejecting the addendum is a “sanctuary policy,” which is banned under Florida law. The law requires local governments to use “best efforts” to help federal immigration enforcement.
Mayor Demings and several commissioners, including Nicole Wilson and Kelly Martinez Semrad, have voiced strong concerns. Wilson called the policy “immoral, cruel, and indefensible.” Demings worries that non-compliance could lead to the loss of state and federal funding. Immigrant advocates and community groups have also protested, warning that the agreement could lead to more detentions, less due process, and people “disappearing” into the jail system.
From January to early May 2025, 438 people were booked into the Orange County Jail on ICE detainers without state charges. ICE has identified up to 10,000 people in Orange County for possible detention and removal, with the number possibly doubling soon. The cost to house an inmate in the county jail is $145 per day, but ICE only reimburses $88, leaving a $57 daily shortfall for taxpayers. The county would also need to hire more corrections officers to meet the transport requirement.
Florida’s 2022 law expanded the ban on sanctuary policies and requires local agencies to sign ICE agreements. The Florida Attorney General has the power to enforce this law, including removing local officials who do not comply. Similar actions have happened in other Florida counties.
The next Orange County Commission meeting on August 5, 2025, will be critical. If the commission does not approve the ICE addendum, the Florida Attorney General may start removal proceedings, possibly involving Governor Ron DeSantis. Community advocates continue to demand public hearings and more transparency.
For more information on ICE agreements and detention protocols, visit the official ICE 287(g) Program page. As reported by VisaVerge.com, the outcome of this dispute could shape how other counties in Florida handle state-mandated immigration enforcement in the future.
Learn Today
ICE 287(g) Agreement → A federal-local partnership allowing local officers to enforce some federal immigration laws locally.
Sanctuary Policy → Local policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, banned in Florida law.
Addendum → An additional document modifying or adding to an existing agreement or contract terms.
Detainer → A request by ICE to hold a detained person beyond their release date for immigration enforcement.
Removal Proceedings → Legal process to deport an individual from the United States.
This Article in a Nutshell
Florida’s Attorney General demands Orange County approve ICE detainee transport by August 5, 2025, or face legal removals. The issue centers on staffing, costs, and sanctuary policy accusations amid rising ICE detentions and budget deficits undermining county officials’ position and community trust.
— By VisaVerge.com
