Latest news with #BoardofImmigrationEnforcement
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Florida Attorney General reviewing federal judge's immigration order amid 'contempt' talk
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said his office is reviewing a federal judge's order blocking parts of Florida's immigration law and is preparing an official response. He made the brief remarks during a press conference in Fort Myers May 2. "I'm going through her order,' Uthmeier said. "I'm talking to counsel. I don't have an official statement on that right now, but I expect they'll have one today (May 2)." His remarks come just days after U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams issued a preliminary injunction blocking parts of a law signed earlier this year (SB 4-C) that made it a state crime for undocumented immigrants to enter or re-enter Florida. The judge ruled the law likely encroaches on federal authority over immigration, citing federal supremacy over immigration enforcement and warning that the statute could interfere with federal discretion. The Attorney General's office has appealed the ruling. But tensions escalated after an April 23 letter Uthmeier sent to law enforcement agencies. In it, he claimed 'no lawful, legitimate order currently impedes (their) agencies from continuing to enforce' the law. Williams scheduled a May 29 hearing to consider contempt or sanctions against Uthmeier for potentially undermining her ruling. Uthmeier has argued that law enforcement agencies are not defendants in the case and thus not bound by the court's order. But that stance is not shared by all. Second Judicial Circuit State Attorney Jack Campbell directed officers in his district to cease enforcement of the immigration law or risk contempt. More: Florida state attorney warns police to stop enforcing immigration law or risk contempt Florida has become a key player in efforts to expand local involvement in immigration enforcement. Florida now leads the nation in ICE 287(g) task force partnerships, which allow trained local officers to assist in identifying and detaining suspected undocumented immigrants. All 67 county sheriff's offices are now part of the initiative. Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state's new Board of Immigration Enforcement have emphasized full cooperation with federal immigration authorities. In March, the board announced an accountability dashboard designed to flag local agencies that don't make 'best efforts' to enforce immigration law, potentially subjecting them to judicial review or removal from office. In April, Florida law enforcement joined federal agents in "Operation Tidal Wave,' described as the largest joint immigration operation in state history. Over six days, ICE reported 1,120 arrests statewide, the most in a single week in one state in the agency's history. Officials said nearly two-thirds of those arrested had previous criminal records. But immigration advocates have raised red flags over civil liberties, saying some detained individuals had only minor offenses or pending asylum claims. Fort Myers became a flashpoint in the immigration debate after its city council initially rejected a proposed 287(g) agreement. Council members cited concerns over racial profiling, cost and strained community trust. In response, Uthmeier called the decision 'very troubling' and threatened to have his office investigate whether the council violated state law. The council reversed course in an emergency session after receiving new legal guidance, voting unanimously to approve the partnership. In Tallahassee, city officials debated the police department's 287(g) agreement with ICE. City commissioners questioned the legal necessity of the move and criticized the process, while city and police officials defended it as compliance with state law. The legal battle over Florida's immigration law remains unresolved. The outcome of the state's appeal and the upcoming contempt hearing could shape the future of how immigration laws are enforced across the state. Contributing: C.A. Bridges, USA TODAY Network - Florida. Mickenzie Hannon is a watchdog reporter for The News-Press and Naples Daily News, covering Collier and Lee counties. Contact her at 239-435-3423 or mhannon@ This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Florida AG Uthmeier comments on immigration ruling in Fort Myers
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Four Florida sheriffs tapped for council advising new state immigration enforcement board
Four sheriffs in Florida have been appointed to a council advising the state's new Board of Immigration Enforcement. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters and Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell will make up half of the State Immigration Enforcement Council, which advises the board on how the state can best work with the Trump administration to enforce federal immigration laws. The board was created last Thursday when Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 2C into law. The council advising it consists of four police chiefs and four sheriffs, who will keep the board updated on local law enforcement's efforts to combat illegal immigration. St. Cloud Police Chief Douglas Goerke, who was nominated on Tuesday, will also serve on the council. The three remaining police chiefs have yet to be selected. Florida Sheriff Says Ice Partnership Only The Beginning In Illegal Migrant Crackdown The council is tasked with asking Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for training opportunities and strategies that will strengthen participation in the agency's 287(g) program. Read On The Fox News App It will also be responsible for making recommendations in several areas, including the allocation of necessary financial assistance to local law enforcement, the enhancement of information sharing from local and state agencies to federal data centers, and how to create more available detention beds for ICE. Leader Behind Migrant Flight To Martha's Vineyard Tapped To Head Red State's New Immigration Board DeSantis said on Monday that the Sunshine State is "setting the standard" for immigration enforcement and how states can help the Trump administration deliver on its promise to stop illegal immigration, deport illegal aliens, and keep American citizens safe. "On Thursday, I signed a bill to make Florida the strongest state in the nation for immigration enforcement. We are now implementing this new legislation. Illegal immigration is an emergency, and we have no time to waste," the governor wrote on X. Larry Keefe was nominated to be the board's executive director at Monday's Cabinet meeting by the state's newly appointed Attorney General James Uthmeier. DeSantis, Uthmeier, state Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis and Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson make up the rest of the board. The Cabinet also passed two resolutions on Monday aimed at ensuring all local officials are following the state's initiative "to detain and deport illegal aliens."Original article source: Four Florida sheriffs tapped for council advising new state immigration enforcement board
Fox News
19-02-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Four Florida sheriffs tapped for council advising new state immigration enforcement board
Four sheriffs in Florida have been appointed to a council advising the state's new Board of Immigration Enforcement. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters and Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell will make up half of the State Immigration Enforcement Council, which advises the board on how the state can best work with the Trump administration to enforce federal immigration laws. The board was created last Thursday when Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 2C into law. The council advising it consists of four police chiefs and four sheriffs, who will keep the board updated on local law enforcement's efforts to combat illegal immigration. St. Cloud Police Chief Douglas Goerke, who was nominated on Tuesday, will also serve on the council. The three remaining police chiefs have yet to be selected. The council is tasked with asking Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for training opportunities and strategies that will strengthen participation in the agency's 287(g) program. It will also be responsible for making recommendations in several areas, including the allocation of necessary financial assistance to local law enforcement, the enhancement of information sharing from local and state agencies to federal data centers, and how to create more available detention beds for ICE. DeSantis said on Monday that the Sunshine State is "setting the standard" for immigration enforcement and how states can help the Trump administration deliver on its promise to stop illegal immigration, deport illegal aliens, and keep American citizens safe. "On Thursday, I signed a bill to make Florida the strongest state in the nation for immigration enforcement. We are now implementing this new legislation. Illegal immigration is an emergency, and we have no time to waste," the governor wrote on X. Larry Keefe was nominated to be the board's executive director at Monday's Cabinet meeting by the state's newly appointed Attorney General James Uthmeier. DeSantis, Uthmeier, state Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis and Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson make up the rest of the board. The Cabinet also passed two resolutions on Monday aimed at ensuring all local officials are following the state's initiative "to detain and deport illegal aliens."
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Third time's the charm? Florida lawmakers go back to Capitol for new immigration session
Florida Republicans appear to have found a compromise amid their lame-duck power struggle and will try – for a third time – to pass a series of immigration crackdown bills Tuesday. The renewed effort comes weeks after lawmakers failed to coalesce around dueling plans to anoint Gov. Ron DeSantis and Agriculture Secretary Wilton Simpson, the state's 'immigration czar.' The one thing lawmakers did agree on: the need to show strength as President Trump pursues a furious push to show America will not tolerate illegal border crossings any longer. The new bill acts as a compromise. It will create a Board of Immigration Enforcement that will consist of the governor and all three cabinet members. Any actions by the board must come from a unanimous vote. The board will also be backed by a council of police chiefs and sheriffs picked by each member of the board and legislative leaders. Some of the bill's provisions include: Mandatory maximum penalties, including the death penalty, for undocumented immigrants who commit crimes Denying bail for most undocumented immigrants who are arrested Making illegally crossing the border a misdemeanor, punishable by nine months in jail on first offense and a year in jail for repeat offenders Creating a third-degree felony for anyone caught helping an undocumented immigrant vote Stripping in-state tuition waivers for undocumented immigrants, including so-called 'Dreamers' brought to the US as children. Current waivers would be canceled as of July 1 Leasing out unused jail cells to Immigration and Customs Enforcement Compelling local governments to enforce immigration laws and creating a $5,000 fine for any local official who willfully disregards the state's direction Banning undocumented immigrants from obtaining driver's licenses Banning licenses given to undocumented immigrants by other states The bills create one important carve-out: immigrants who are witnesses and victims of crimes would not have their statuses reported to ICE agents to protect them from being taken advantage of by criminals. The bills also allocate more than $250 million to start up the effort, most of which comes from costs to set up grants for law enforcement who participate in immigration enforcement efforts. Most of the provisions are similar to what was proposed by the legislature when it bucked the governor's call for a special session, with the exception of the power-sharing structure. The governor and legislative leaders quickly hailed the new bills Monday. 'I commend the legislature for stepping up to the plate. If they're able to pass the proposals as presented now, they can expect my strong support,' DeSantis said in a selfie-style video posted to X. 'Now is the time for us to get this done. We've been talking about this issue for years and years and years. Now we have a mandate.' Democrats, who briefly thought they held the keys to getting a bill passed during the Republicans' infighting last month, criticized the 11th-hour nature of the proposals and the call to return to Tallahassee. They also condemned the cancellation of tuition waivers for young immigrants. 'While families are struggling with skyrocketing housing costs, unaffordable property insurance, and stagnant wages, Republican leadership is more focused on attacking immigrants and rolling back opportunities for Dreamers,' State Rep. Anna Eskamani (D-Orlando) said in a text message. 'This is not how we should be governing.' Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
