The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the State of Florida are partnering to give Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel reimbursement checks to use in their duties in combating illegal immigration. The announcement, made on Friday alongside Gov. Ron DeSantis, comes after President Donald Trump authorized DHS to enforce federal immigration laws through its 287(g) program, which included funding for the initiative.
"This is funding that can go straight to equipment, to the work that's being done out on the street, and to other supplies and resources that our officers need," ICE Deputy Director Madison Sheahan said.
Under 287(g), law enforcement agencies are authorized to identify and process illegal aliens with pending or active criminal charges, conduct limited immigration enforcement under ICE's direction as part of their active duties, and serve and execute administrative warrants for deportable illegal migrants in their facilities.
Sheahan noted Florida's success under 287(g), with 4700 officers statewide executing arrests on criminal illegal aliens since its inception. Specifically, Sheahan included an arrest of a Mexican national for DUI battery and disorderly conduct, as well as a migrant arrested for fraud of over 20,000 dollars, as examples of ICE's work.
She also noted migrant arrests for large amounts of drugs, dangerous weapons, and passport fraud by enforcement officials.
The deputy director thanked Gov. Ron DeSantis, who was joined by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, for the agreement.
"We truly have a historic partnership, a partnership that we don't see anywhere else nationwide, a partnership that has made it a priority to make sure that President Trump's immigration policies and enforcement are enforced every single day," Sheahan expressed.
President Trump signed his 287 (g) Executive Order on Jan. 20. The order was quickly followed up by Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature with a series of policies, including Operation Tidal Wave earlier this year.
"I always remind people that the men and women of ICE enforce immigration law as it's written," Sheehan continued. "They all go out every day to remove the worst of the worst from the streets of America. That's gang members, murderers, rapists, and the people of Florida are grateful for the work that Governor DeSantis, his state troopers, sheriffs, and everyone statewide continue to do on a daily basis."
Along with criminal targets, the program also looks to retrieve unaccompanied minors who crossed the southern border, many of whom came under the Biden administration.
Speaking afterwards, Gov. Ron DeSantis also warned against attacks on ICE agents. The stark message follows a shooting at an ICE facility in Dallas, Texas, in which three people were killed.
"Florida is not Portland. If you think you can go and launch attacks against ICE agents in this state, you've got another thing coming," DeSantis said. "We will hold you accountable very swiftly and very severely."
Fox News reports that assaults against ICE and other federal immigration authorities are up 700% and climbing since July.
"We are not going to tolerate any of this that you see in some of these other jurisdictions," DeSantis continued. "And so just be forewarned, if you want to take a pot shot at an ice agent or any law enforcement, you are going to have severe consequences."
