Four Florida sheriffs tapped to advise state immigration enforcement cabinet
Four sheriffs in Florida have recently been appointed to a council that will advise the state’s new Board of Immigration Enforcement. This council consists of Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters, and Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell. These four sheriffs will make up half of the State Immigration Enforcement Council, which will provide guidance to the board on how the state can effectively collaborate with the Trump administration to enforce federal immigration laws.
The establishment of the board occurred last Thursday when Governor Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 2C into law. The council, which includes four police chiefs and four sheriffs, will be responsible for keeping the board informed about local law enforcement’s efforts to combat illegal immigration. St. Cloud Police Chief Douglas Goerke was also nominated to serve on the council, with the remaining three police chiefs yet to be selected.
The primary objective of the council is to engage with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to enhance training opportunities and strategies that will bolster participation in the agency’s 287(g) program. Additionally, the council will make recommendations in various areas, such as allocating financial assistance to local law enforcement, improving information sharing between local and state agencies and federal data centers, and expanding the availability of detention beds for ICE.
Governor DeSantis emphasized on Monday that Florida is leading the way in immigration enforcement and demonstrating how states can collaborate with the Trump administration to fulfill its commitment to curbing illegal immigration, deporting undocumented individuals, and safeguarding American citizens. He expressed his urgency by stating, “Illegal immigration is an emergency, and we have no time to waste.”
During a Cabinet meeting on Monday, Larry Keefe was nominated by the newly appointed Attorney General James Uthmeier to serve as the board’s executive director. The board comprises Governor DeSantis, Attorney General Uthmeier, Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, and Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson.
In a bid to ensure compliance with the state’s initiative to detain and deport illegal aliens, the Cabinet passed two resolutions on Monday. These resolutions aim to hold all local officials accountable for adhering to the state’s efforts in combating illegal immigration.
The integration of these sheriffs and police chiefs into the State Immigration Enforcement Council underscores Florida’s commitment to upholding federal immigration laws and working in tandem with ICE to address illegal immigration effectively. The council’s diverse representation from law enforcement agencies across the state will facilitate a comprehensive approach to immigration enforcement and enhance coordination with federal authorities.
