Florida Immigration Council Urges Local Agencies to Report Immigrant Arrests
The Florida Immigration Enforcement Council, composed of prominent Republican sheriffs and police chiefs, convened on Tuesday to advocate for over 100 local law enforcement agencies to enhance their reporting of immigrant arrests.
Inconsistency in Reporting Among Agencies
Despite having 40 designated immigration officers, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office has not reported any immigration-related arrests or encounters in the past year, according to data presented by the council. Sheriff TK Waters, who is favored by Governor Ron DeSantis and serves on the council, stated that his office was unaware of the reporting violation until shortly before the meeting.
Clarifications on Reporting Requirements
Waters described the situation as a “media storm,” asserting that his office has been responsible for thousands of immigration arrests since February 2025, including 885 related to ICE detainers. He explained that his patrol team believed they were submitting a report to ICE, when, in fact, it was only sent to Tallahassee.
Legislative Misunderstandings Persist
He noted that lawmakers mistakenly assumed that checking the “ICE” box on detainee documents would fulfill Florida’s monthly reporting criteria. This confusion appears to be widespread; more than 60% of Florida law enforcement agencies collaborating with ICE either do not report immigration arrests or do not process any ICE detainees, according to council data.
Variability Among Department Experiences
Naples Police Chief Ciro Dominguez, who also serves on the council, highlighted that his department falls into the latter category, claiming he has “never encountered any active warrants or detainees.” Conversely, another 163 agencies have reported at least one immigrant arrest or encounter since the passage of a comprehensive immigration bill in February 2025, which mandates cooperation with federal immigration agents.
Compliance Issues Draw Criticism
During the council meeting, members condemned the non-compliance among various agencies, asserting that there is “no surprise and no excuse” for failure to report immigrant arrests more than a year after the law’s implementation. The council unanimously resolved to send a letter to government agencies reiterating their reporting obligations.
Potential Consequences for Non-Compliance
Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri emphasized the need for accountability, stating, “You’re either doing it or you’re not,” and noted that any sympathy he previously felt for non-compliant agencies was now unwarranted. He added that these agencies have simply failed to report as required, indicating a clear need for improved compliance measures.
Concerns Over Future Funding for Non-Compliant Agencies
Anthony Coker, executive director of the Florida Immigration Enforcement Commission, warned that agencies continuing to disregard reporting mandates risk losing access to state funding. He pointed to a $250 million grant program established to assist local law enforcement with immigration enforcement. To date, the state has approved $148 million in financial aid for 114 agencies, though only approximately $13 million has been disbursed to help support these initiatives.
