Florida sheriffs and police departments are receiving significant state and federal funding for participating in the 287(g) program, which empowers local law enforcement to assist in immigration enforcement.
| PULSE POINTS |
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Florida law enforcement agencies have received millions in state and federal funds for participating in the 287(g) program, which allows local officers to enforce federal immigration laws. At a press conference, Florida CFO Blaise Ingoglia distributed checks totaling over $1.4 million to several county sheriffs for their cooperation in immigration enforcement efforts. 📺 DETAIL: The 287(g) program, which dates back decades, empowers local police to arrest illegal immigrants, a role traditionally reserved for federal immigration agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Florida and Texas lead the nation in participation, with both states offering grants to incentivize compliance. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has also promised additional funding, including vehicles, equipment, and salary reimbursements, potentially amounting to $2 billion nationwide. Florida sheriffs have used funds for equipment like body armor, fingerprint scanners, and real-time translation devices. 💬 KEY QUOTE: “In Florida, we’re required to cooperate with immigration officials. So if we can leverage our cooperation and get a greater benefit out of it, we are going to take the greater benefit from leveraging our cooperation.” – Robert Bage, Fort Walton Beach Police Chief 🎯 IMPACT: The funding provides critical financial support to law enforcement agencies, enabling them to invest in equipment and personnel without relying solely on local taxpayer dollars. This should allow local police to conduct immigration enforcement and prevent large build-ups of ICE and other federal agents that attract pro-illegal immigrant agitators, as at the protests in Minneapolis, Minnesota, last year. 📺 FLASHBACK: The 287(g) program was scaled back under former President Barack Obama in 2012 after claims of racial profiling in its implementation. The Trump administration has revived and expanded the program, with partnerships growing from 135 to over 1,700. |
Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.
show less