Latest news with #SB2-C
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Immigration Attorney explains how Florida's policies foster fear and uncertainty for residents
Over the last few months, Florida has become a battleground for anti-immigration policies, using fear-mongering tactics to justify severe legal measures. The messages surrounding immigration law messaging have led to an atmosphere of suspicion and anxiety, not just among undocumented individuals but also among legal residents, businesses, and mixed-status families. Many immigrants—documented and undocumented also—now live in fear of racial profiling, wrongful detainment, and family separations. I think there is increased enforcement, but I don't think just because you're walking down the street, you're at risk of immigration detaining you or law enforcement stopping you,' said Frank Symphorien-Saavedra, Board-Certified Attorney and Expert in Immigration and Nationality Law. The immigration laws have created an environment of uncertainty. Immigration legal experts stress that knowledge and preparation are the best defenses. Residents, regardless of status should stay informed, seek legal counsel, and avoid making decisions out of fear. This comes as the state has pushed to take matters into its own hands by expanding state-level enforcement and working closely with ICE. In February, Governor Ron Desantis enacted immigration laws SB 2-C and SB 4-C, increasing stricter immigration impacts. The future of immigration laws in Florida is uncertain but volatile. Several key factors will shape the landscape in the coming years. 1. Legal Challenges and Federal Pushback: Like challenging SB 1718 in court, arguing that it violates constitutional rights and federal authority over immigration laws. 2. Economic Consequences May Force Change: The state's agriculture, construction, and service industries could struggle to fill positions, forcing businesses and policymakers to reconsider policies if the state economy takes a hit. 3. Continued Fear and Displacement: If policies remain harsh, the state could see a long-term decline in its immigrant workforce, further damaging industries that rely on them. Families may want to leave. Regardless of immigration status, all Floridians should stay informed and proactive. Symphorien-Saavedra emphasizes the importance of knowing your rights and taking proactive steps to ensure safety. Know Your Legal Status – If you are a resident or undocumented, consult an immigration attorney to assess whether you qualify for any relief, such as asylum, DACA, or a green card. Carry Proper Documentation – For legal residents, carrying proof of residency can prevent unnecessary detainment. Undocumented individuals should know their rights if stopped by law enforcement. Understand the 'Show Me Your Papers' Mentality – SB 1718 does not allow local police to randomly demand proof of immigration status. It does increase collaboration between local authorities and federal immigration enforcement. Knowing how to handle interactions with law enforcement is critical. Avoid Self-Incrimination – If approached by law enforcement or immigration officers, do not volunteer information about your immigration status. Instead, request an attorney and exercise the right to remain silent. Stay Informed and Not Afraid – Community organizations offer workshops, legal aid, and resources to help individuals understand the law. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Osceola Sheriff's Office Address Immigration Legislation at Critical Town Hall
As immigration policies continue to stir debate across Florida, the Osceola County Sheriff's Office is stepping into the conversation by hosting a highly anticipated town hall meeting Thursday at Gateway High School to address the sweeping concerns surrounding the role of law enforcement in the county. With over 50% of Osceola County's population being Hispanic, the town hall meeting comes one month after Governor Desantis signed several immigration laws that aimed to carry out President Trump's deportation agenda. 'The law itself is difficult. It's messy and it's cruel,' said Maria Revelles, Co-Director of La Mesa Boricu. During the meeting, the department highlighted two of the stricter immigration laws, such as SB 2-C, which would enhance punishment for unauthorized aliens, force law enforcement to notify the State of Attorney if a person in custody is on an immigration detainer, and SB-4C which would impose the death penalty if an unauthorized alien is guilty of a capital offense. The meeting also detailed what can happen if a government agency does not comply with the law, like a forced suspension from office. The Sheriff did say the department is lending a hand to ICE because it has been overwhelmed with immigration, and deputies will be focused on criminals and those that are a threat to public safety and they are not walking into schools and churches locking up people randomly and deporting them. 'It's not like they are just going to be throwing people out. Every situation. Every circumstance is going to be different. We're assisting them right now because they are overwhelmed with this issue,' said Marcos Lopez, Osceola County Sheriff. During the meeting, the sheriff displayed a PowerPoint slide show with examples of past undocumented individuals who have committed violent crimes underscoring the urgency behind these efforts, with law enforcement making it clear that their collaboration with ICE is not about status—it's about safety. Like many in the room, Revelles said there are still blurry lines between the roles of local government and the new law questioning what this enforcement might look like in practice and can these laws affect trust in law enforcement and the communities. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Miami Herald
25-02-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
With feds out of Florida beds, sheriffs say they're ready to hold undocumented criminals
All of the state's 67 counties have entered agreements with federal immigration authorities to detain undocumented immigrant criminals in jails, the Florida Sheriffs Association announced on Monday as the state rushes to assist President Donald Trump's mass deportation efforts. The agreements bring counties into compliance with part of a state law (SB 2-C) passed during a special legislative session this month aimed at boosting enforcement of illegal immigration. Under the agreements, sheriffs' deputies with special training can process immigration 'detainers' issued by federal authorities to keep inmates in jail. The inmates can be kept up to 48 hours before being picked up by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. The 'warrant service officer' program is a key part of the Trump administration's crackdown on illegal immigration and focuses on undocumented immigrants who have committed crimes or been ordered to be deported by judges, according to Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri. Gualtieri has worked closely with Trump administration officials as they make changes to what is known as the '287(g)' program that allows local law enforcement agencies to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement efforts. 'Their priority is apprehending and deporting as quickly as possible those who are criminally illegal, public safety threats, national security threats, those who have been previously deported and come back again,' Gualtieri said Monday at a news conference in Winter Haven. 'The most pressing need they have is people who are booked into our jails … so these people are not released back into our community to commit more crimes.' Training for deputies to participate in the program, which Gualtieri said was halted throughout former President Joe Biden's tenure, is expected to ramp up quickly. READ MORE: Lawmakers just made Florida a harsher place for immigrants here illegally. This is how: 'Implementing the process under which all jails will be able to hold these criminals is well underway, and we hope to have it fully operational within the next 15 to 30 days,' Gualtieri said. 'This is a big deal because it means criminals like these, people who kill, people who steal, people who break into people's houses, people who rape kids, will be deported directly from jail and not released back to the street. … It just makes sense, from the jail out of here, as opposed to, [from] the jail back to the street.' As state and local efforts accelerate, sheriffs warned that the Trump administration needs to quickly increase the number of beds available for undocumented immigrants waiting to be processed and deported. Federal immigration authorities have about 2,000 beds in Florida 'and they're full,' Gualtieri said. The Pinellas County sheriff said he is holding 150 undocumented immigrants on detainers at his jail, which has 3,000 inmates. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said bed capacity is the 'number one' issue for federal immigration authorities. Florida sheriffs are conducting an inventory of available beds, but the anticipated ramp-up of county enforcement efforts could 'overwhelm the current ability to house people in days,' according to Judd. FLORIDA POLITICS: One group is being spared from Florida's immigration crackdown: companies 'There's not capacity in the Florida sheriffs or the county jails to make any negligible difference,' Judd said. 'We will overwhelm this system very rapidly and we intend to work very aggressively but that's why we're here making this statement today. They have to create capacity.' Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell, who serves as president of the sheriffs association, said sheriffs are getting educated about 'very, very complex' immigration laws as the federal government revamps enforcement programs. 'It's all very fluid,' Prummell said. 'We're all trying to catch on and learn how this works. … There's a lot of chaos up there in D.C. still, so sometimes the right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing up there. So we're trying to get a whole handle on what's going on up there so we can start implementing policies, procedures and what we need to do to get the job done, to keep our citizens safe here.' The new Florida immigration law also created a State Board of Immigration Enforcement, which is made up of Gov. Ron DeSantis, Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, Attorney General James Uthmeier and Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis. Decisions made by the board must be unanimous. The board met for the first time last week and named as its executive director Larry Keefe, a former North Florida federal prosecutor who served as DeSantis' 'public safety czar.' Lawmakers during the special session also approved a measure (SB 4-C) that makes it a state crime for undocumented immigrants to enter or attempt to enter Florida. People who violate the law face a mandatory nine-month jail sentence. Kara Gross, legislative director and senior policy counsel at the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida, told reporters Monday that the law is 'overly broad and vague' and will 'lead to rampant racial profiling' of people who are perceived to be immigrants. 'This law and the rhetoric surrounding it create an environment that will inevitably lead to racial and ethnic profiling of anyone perceived to be an immigrant based on the color of their skin, the accent in their voice, the neighborhoods they live in, or the restaurants and businesses they frequent,' Gross said. But the sheriffs pushed back when asked if the new laws would result in racial profiling. 'We're tired of hearing that crap. That's BS,' Judd said. Local and federal officials are targeting undocumented immigrants who have committed crimes or those who have been ordered to leave the country, he argued. 'Take a deep breath. Save that crazy talk for somebody else. … We've got a plate full of illegal immigrants committing crimes and warrants to deport those that have flaunted the system, and all this crazy talk just scares people that don't need to be scared. Just follow what the federal government tells you to do when they tell you to do it,' Judd said.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Florida sheriffs gear up to aid immigration enforcement under new state law
The Brief Florida's 67 counties have agreed to detain undocumented immigrants with criminal records under a new state law supporting federal deportation efforts. Sheriffs warn detention facilities may quickly become overwhelmed, while critics fear racial profiling. Officials expect the program to be fully operational within 15 to 30 days. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - The Florida Sheriffs Association announced on Monday that agencies in all of Florida's counties will assist federal immigration authorities in detaining undocumented immigrant criminals in jails. What we know All 67 Florida counties have signed agreements with federal immigration authorities to detain undocumented immigrants with criminal records. This move aligns with state law SB 2-C, passed during a special legislative session to bolster enforcement of illegal immigration. Under the agreements, specially trained sheriff's deputies can process federal immigration detainers, holding inmates for up to 48 hours before U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) takes custody. Officials expect the program to be fully operational within 15 to 30 days. What we don't know It remains unclear how Florida and federal agencies will address the shortage of detention beds. Sheriffs have warned that the increased enforcement could overwhelm the system within days. Additionally, concerns persist about how these laws will be enforced without racial profiling, though law enforcement officials deny this will be an issue. The long-term effectiveness and logistical challenges of these policies remain uncertain. The backstory Florida's collaboration with ICE is part of a broader immigration crackdown tied to the Trump administration's 287(g) program, which allows local law enforcement to assist in deportation efforts. Training for these programs was reportedly halted under President Joe Biden but is now resuming under new state laws. The newly created State Board of Immigration Enforcement, led by Gov. Ron DeSantis, oversees the implementation of these policies, and lawmakers have also passed legislation making it a state crime for undocumented immigrants to enter Florida. Big picture view Florida's aggressive immigration policies reflect a larger national debate over enforcement and state involvement in federal immigration efforts. While supporters argue the measures will improve public safety by deporting criminals, opponents warn of potential civil rights violations and racial profiling. The issue also raises logistical concerns, as existing detention facilities may not have the capacity to handle the anticipated influx of detainees. What they're saying Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri has worked closely with Trump administration officials as they make changes to what is known as the "287(g)" program that allows local law enforcement agencies to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement efforts. "Their priority is apprehending and deporting as quickly as possible those who are criminally illegal, public safety threats, national security threats, those who have been previously deported and come back again," Gualtieri said Training for deputies to participate in the program, which Gualtieri said was halted throughout former President Joe Biden's tenure, is expected to ramp up quickly. "Implementing the process under which all jails will be able to hold these criminals is well underway, and we hope to have it fully operational within the next 15 to 30 days," Gualtieri said. "This is a big deal because it means criminals like these, people who kill, people who steal, people who break into people's houses, people who rape kids, will be deported directly from jail and not released back to the street. … It just makes sense, from the jail out of here, as opposed to, (from) the jail back to the street." Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said bed capacity is the "number one" issue for federal immigration authorities. Florida sheriffs are conducting an inventory of available beds, but the anticipated ramp-up of county enforcement efforts could "overwhelm the current ability to house people in days," according to Judd. "There's not capacity in the Florida sheriffs or the county jails to make any negligible difference," Judd said. "We will overwhelm this system very rapidly and we intend to work very aggressively but that's why we're here making this statement today. They have to create capacity." Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell, who serves as president of the sheriffs association, said sheriffs are getting educated about "very, very complex" immigration laws as the federal government revamps enforcement programs. "It's all very fluid," Prummell said. "We're all trying to catch on and learn how this works. … There's a lot of chaos up there in D.C. still, so sometimes the right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing up there. So we're trying to get a whole handle on what's going on up there so we can start implementing policies, procedures and what we need to do to get the job done, to keep our citizens safe here." Kara Gross, legislative director and senior policy counsel at the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida, told reporters Monday that the law is "overly broad and vague" and will "lead to rampant racial profiling" of people who are perceived to be immigrants. "This law and the rhetoric surrounding it create an environment that will inevitably lead to racial and ethnic profiling of anyone perceived to be an immigrant based on the color of their skin, the accent in their voice, the neighborhoods they live in, or the restaurants and businesses they frequent," Gross said. But the sheriffs pushed back when asked if the new laws would result in racial profiling. "We're tired of hearing that crap. That's BS," Judd said. "Take a deep breath. Save that crazy talk for somebody else. … We've got a plate full of illegal immigrants committing crimes and warrants to deport those that have flaunted the system, and all this crazy talk just scares people that don't need to be scared. Just follow what the federal government tells you to do when they tell you to do it," Judd said. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written based on information shared by The News Service of Florida.
CBS News
24-02-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Florida sheriffs move quickly on immigration enforcement
All of the state's 67 counties have entered agreements with federal immigration authorities to detain undocumented immigrant criminals in jails, the Florida Sheriffs Association announced on Monday as the state rushes to assist mass deportation efforts. Compliance with state law The agreements bring counties into compliance with part of a state law (SB 2-C) passed during a special legislative session this month aimed at boosting enforcement of illegal immigration. Under the agreements, sheriffs' deputies with special training can process immigration "detainers" issued by federal authorities to keep inmates in jail. The inmates can be kept up to 48 hours before being picked up by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. "Warrant service officer" program The "warrant service officer" program is a key part of the administration's crackdown on illegal immigration and focuses on undocumented immigrants who have committed crimes or been ordered to be deported by judges, according to Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri. Focus on criminal and public safety threats "Their priority is apprehending and deporting as quickly as possible those who are criminally illegal, public safety threats, national security threats, those who have been previously deported and come back again," Gualtieri said Monday at a news conference in Winter Haven. "The most pressing need they have is people who are booked into our jails … so these people are not released back into our community to commit more crimes." Training and implementation Training for deputies to participate in the program, which Gualtieri said was halted throughout the previous administration's tenure, is expected to ramp up quickly. "Implementing the process under which all jails will be able to hold these criminals is well underway, and we hope to have it fully operational within the next 15 to 30 days," Gualtieri said. "This is a big deal because it means criminals like these, people who kill, people who steal, people who break into people's houses, people who rape kids, will be deported directly from jail and not released back to the street. … It just makes sense, from the jail out of here, as opposed to, (from) the jail back to the street." Capacity concerns and federal beds As state and local efforts accelerate, sheriffs warned that the administration needs to quickly increase the number of beds available for undocumented immigrants waiting to be processed and deported. Federal immigration authorities have about 2,000 beds in Florida "and they're full," Gualtieri said. Local jails and overwhelming capacity The Pinellas County sheriff said he is holding 150 undocumented immigrants on detainers at his jail, which has 3,000 inmates. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said bed capacity is the "number one" issue for federal immigration authorities. Florida sheriffs are conducting an inventory of available beds, but the anticipated ramp-up of county enforcement efforts could "overwhelm the current ability to house people in days," according to Judd. "There's not capacity in the Florida sheriffs or the county jails to make any negligible difference," Judd said. "We will overwhelm this system very rapidly and we intend to work very aggressively but that's why we're here making this statement today. They have to create capacity." Complexity of immigration laws Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell, who serves as president of the sheriffs association, said sheriffs are getting educated about "very, very complex" immigration laws as the federal government revamps enforcement programs. "It's all very fluid," Prummell said. "We're all trying to catch on and learn how this works. … There's a lot of chaos up there in D.C. still, so sometimes the right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing up there. So we're trying to get a whole handle on what's going on up there so we can start implementing policies, procedures and what we need to do to get the job done, to keep our citizens safe here." State Board of Immigration Enforcement The new Florida immigration law also created a State Board of Immigration Enforcement, which is made up of officials. Decisions made by the board must be unanimous. The board met for the first time last week and named as its executive director Larry Keefe, a former North Florida federal prosecutor who served in a public safety capacity. State crime for illegal entry Lawmakers during the special session also approved a measure (SB 4-C) that makes it a state crime for undocumented immigrants to enter or attempt to enter Florida. People who violate the law face a mandatory nine-month jail sentence. ACLU concerns about racial profiling Kara Gross, legislative director and senior policy counsel at the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida, told reporters Monday that the law is "overly broad and vague" and will "lead to rampant racial profiling" of people who are perceived to be immigrants. "This law and the rhetoric surrounding it create an environment that will inevitably lead to racial and ethnic profiling of anyone perceived to be an immigrant based on the color of their skin, the accent in their voice, the neighborhoods they live in, or the restaurants and businesses they frequent," Gross said. Sheriffs deny racial profiling But the sheriffs pushed back when asked if the new laws would result in racial profiling. "We're tired of hearing that crap. That's BS," Judd said. Local and federal officials are targeting undocumented immigrants who have committed crimes or those who have been ordered to leave the country, he argued. "Take a deep breath. Save that crazy talk for somebody else. … We've got a plate full of illegal immigrants committing crimes and warrants to deport those that have flaunted the system, and all this crazy talk just scares people that don't need to be scared. Just follow what the federal government tells you to do when they tell you to do it," Judd said.
