Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Blaise Ingoglia announced over $24 million in awards to eight law enforcement agencies to help bolster immigration enforcement and its activities while speaking in Taveras this week.
"While some other states shy away from backing law enforcement, we are all in," Ingoglia said in a release. "Florida is the most law enforcement friendly state in the nation because of our commitment to backing the blue and ensuring that we are providing law enforcement agencies with the tools they need to do their jobs effectively and keep our residents safe. Our work will continue, and I am thankful to stand alongside our law enforcement partners as they work tirelessly to protect our state.”
Agencies awarded by the State Board of Immigration Enforcement were:
- Lake County Sheriff’s Office - $1,244,737.65
- Fruitland Park Police Department - $59,800
- Clermont Police Department - $16,471
- Orange County Sheriff’s Office - $10,881,072.40
- City of St. Cloud Police Department - $38,000
- Osceola County Sheriff’s Office - $11,044,909.42
- Osceola County Board of County Commissioners - $223,878.98
- Sumter County Sheriff’s Office - $531,678
The funding coincides with the state's 287(g) agreement, which allows state and local law enforcement to assist with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the state's 287(g) agreement to work with ICE and the Department of Homeland Security to enforce federal immigration duties in February 2025.
“Illegal immigration has devastated our communities for years, but criminal illegal aliens no longer get a free pass to come to our country and cause harm," Lake County Sheriff Peyton C. Grinnell said. "Thanks to the work of CFO Ingoglia, the State Board of Immigration Enforcement, and our federal partners, we can continue our mission in keeping our citizens safe by deporting these criminals out of our county.”
Sumter County Sheriff Patrick Breeden added, "CFO Ingoglia continues to show his support for Florida’s law enforcement by strengthening our capabilities to put criminals behind bars. The funding awarded today helps us ensure public safety and help remove criminal illegal aliens from our streets.”
