Governor Ron DeSantis has instructed Florida law enforcement to create additional agreements with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for immigration enforcement in the state.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), and the Florida State Guard have signed an agreement to receive training from ICE under the 287(g) program, allowing them to conduct immigration enforcement.
Since last week, the Florida Highway Patrol has begun its agreement with ICE, and the Florida Department of Agricultural Law Enforcement has also joined this initiative.
“Florida is setting the example for states in combating illegal immigration and working with the Trump Administration to restore the rule of law,” DeSantis said. “By allowing our state agents and law enforcement officers to be trained and approved by ICE, Florida will now have more enforcement personnel deputized to assist federal partners. That means deportations can be carried out more efficiently, making our communities safer as illegal aliens are removed.”
Agreement Overview
ICE will delegate the authority to state law enforcement and the state guard to perform specified immigration officer functions under the agency’s direction and oversight. This includes identifying and removing already incarcerated criminal aliens who are eligible for removal before they are re-released into the community.
Agreements will also give state law enforcement and the state guard expanded power and authority to:
- Interrogate any suspected alien or person believed to be an alien as to their right to be in the United States. If they are found to be in violation of proper immigration status, they will be further detained and processed for State or Federal criminal offenses.
- Arrest and detain any alien attempting to unlawfully enter the United States, such as through ports of entry or via waters off of Florida’s coastline;
- Deliver detained illegal immigrants, without any unnecessary delays, for examination by immigration enforcement authorities for further screening;
- Enforce felony arrests which are cognizable under any federal law regulating the admission, exclusion, expulsion, or removal of aliens;
- Have the power to serve and execute warrants of arrest for immigration violations; and
- Be authorized to administer oaths and to take and consider evidence to complete required alien processing to include fingerprinting, photographing, and interviewing, as well as the preparation of affidavits and the taking of sworn statements for ICE supervisory review.
Today’s agreements give state law enforcement and the state guard the authority to issue immigration detainers and document deportable or inadmissible individuals. DeSantis said granting such authority will allow for faster preparation of charging documents for ICE review, speeding up deportations and the removal of dangerous individuals in custody. Once charges are filed, state authorities can maintain custody of these individuals and transport them to ICE-approved detention facilities instead of releasing them due to overcrowding.
