Tallahassee, Florida — Several Florida sheriffs are urging the Trump administration to reconsider broad deportation policies and instead focus enforcement efforts on undocumented immigrants who have committed crimes.
During a meeting of the Florida Immigration Enforcement Council, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said mass deportations targeting people without criminal records could create unintended consequences for communities and law enforcement. Judd announced plans to draft a letter to President Donald Trump, congressional leaders, and federal officials asking for clearer federal guidelines on immigration enforcement priorities.
“While Congress sits on their hands and does nothing about this, we are on the ground floor with this day in and day out,” Judd said during the meeting. “Some came here inappropriately only to do better for themselves and their family.”
At least six of the eight sheriffs on the council expressed similar concerns, with some arguing that enforcement efforts have cast “too wide of a net.” Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell said local law enforcement typically avoids workplace or home raids targeting non-criminal immigrants, though such operations sometimes occur when federal immigration authorities intervene.
The council was created by the Florida Legislature to advise Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state Cabinet on immigration enforcement policies. Florida has pursued aggressive immigration measures in recent years, including requiring local cooperation with federal immigration authorities and expanding detention capacity.
The sheriffs said they plan to jointly send a letter to federal leaders urging a more targeted approach to immigration enforcement rather than broad deportation efforts.
Sources
• News From The States – MBFC Rating
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