We received a joint statement from House Speaker Danny Perez and Senate President Ben Allbrittion on the legislation their chambers are considering during the Special Session. The announcement made no mention of Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Coordinating with President Trump To Enforce Federal Immigration Law
The bill names Commissioner Wilton Simpson as Florida’s Chief Immigration Officer and establishes the Office of State Immigration Enforcement within the Division of Law Enforcement under his Department. The Commissioner of Agriculture has the capacity, expertise and resources to effectively manage this critical role, with an existing law enforcement office and a statewide presence. Historically, the Commissioner has served as the immigration officer among other functions.
As Chief Immigration Officer, Commissioner Simpson will”
- Serve as the central point of coordination between the Trump-led federal government, state entities, local governmental entities, and law enforcement agencies to enforce federal immigration law.
- Coordinates and provides assistance to law enforcement agencies and local governments to ensure compliance with Florida’s Federal Immigration Enforcement statute,
- Administers the Local Law Enforcement Immigration Grant Program,
- Conducts audits to ensure compliance and enforcement of E- Verify, and
- Provides the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House legislative recommendations to improve assistance and coordination with the Federal Government in enforcement of federal immigration law.
- Responsible for reporting on the number of vacant detention beds available in correctional facilities and county jails that can be sublet to ICE and hiring additional law enforcement officers to aid local governmental entities and law enforcement agencies in the enforcement of federal immigration laws.
Investment in Fighting Illegal Immigration
The bill makes a record-breaking appropriation of over $500 million to assist state and local law enforcement agencies in their fight against illegal immigration. The bill also creates the Local Law Enforcement Immigration Grant Program to reimburse local law enforcement agencies for expenses related to supporting the enforcement of federal immigration law.
Immigration Enforcement Assistance Agreements Led by Local Law Enforcement
The bill expands the current requirement (passed in SB 1808, 2022) that a sheriff operating a county detention facility must enter into a written agreement with ICE to participate in the immigration program established under s. 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. s. 1357, to include county jails not operated by a sheriff.
- Among the options available to sheriffs and chief correctional officers are the Warrant Service Officer Program and the Jail Enforcement Model. Both are already operational in certain Florida counties.
- In lockstep with President Trump’s Executive Order, a sheriff or chief correctional officer operating a county detention facility will select the manner that provides the most effective model for enforcing federal immigration laws in that jurisdiction.
State Immigration Enforcement Council
The bill creates the State Immigration Enforcement Council, comprised of the Executive Director of FDLE, seven sheriffs and four police chiefs appointed by the Chief Immigration Officer. A sheriff will chair the council.
The Council will advise the Chief Immigration Officer on the efforts of local law enforcement agencies to enforce federal immigration law. The Council will also recommend strategies to increase the number of available detention beds, facilitate the training of local law enforcement officers in the enforcement of federal immigration law, and better coordinate with the Trump Administration.
Making Florida a Destination for Law Enforcement Training
Florida is home to robust, highly qualified, strategic, year-round assets for law enforcement training, including the Camp Blanding Joint Training Center, which the taxpayers have made significant investments to make the premier facility in the southeast.
In order to support the anticipated training and operation needs as multiple federal and state and local agencies work together to protect communities from criminal illegal immigrants, the bill directs the Chief Immigration Officer to coordinate with the Department of Military Affairs and local law enforcement on partnership agreements with the federal government to use Florida’s training facilities, which will be convenient, cost-effective, and will help Florida achieve training goals more efficiently.
Incentivizes Floridians to Enter the Law Enforcement Field
Provides funding to local law enforcement agencies to pay for apprenticeships, including the salaries of recruits going through law enforcement training.
Keeping Criminal Illegal Immigrants Behind Bars
Provides judges with information about a defendant’s immigration status that can be used to deny bail for illegal immigrants. Pre-trail detention can already be ordered for violent and other serious crimes.
Reclassification Misdemeanor Offenses Committed by Illegal Immigrants
Reclassifies misdemeanors to the next highest degree if committed by a person who has been previously convicted of a federal crime relating to the reentry of removed aliens. The Legislature previously passed this reclassification regarding felonies.
Improved Coordination with Trump-led ICE
Upon request from the federal government, the bill requires a sheriff or chief correctional officer operating a county detention facility to provide a list of all inmates booked into the county detention facility and any information regarding each inmate’s immigration status. This provision enhances current practice to support enhanced communication between local law enforcement and Trump-led federal immigration enforcement efforts.
Creates Strong Criminal Penalties For Illegal Immigrants Who Vote In Our Elections
Under the bill, any person who is not a citizen of the United States who willfully votes in any election is guilty of 3rd Degree Felony. A person’s ignorance of his or her citizenship cannot be raised as a defense. Any person who helps or encourages an illegal immigrant to vote would also be guilty of a 3rd Degree Felony.
Removes Education Incentives for Illegal Immigrants
The bill removes the out-of-state tuition waiver for students who are not U.S. citizens or lawfully present in the United States.
For more information, please visit www.FLSenate.gov or www.FLHouse.gov. Read Florida Legislature Partners with President Trump