TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) recently announced all its sworn officers are now federally certified to carry out immigration enforcement duties under the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) 287(g) program. While framed as an expansion of public safety measures, this development signals a shift in how immigration laws are enforced in local communities across Florida, including right here in Orange County.

What’s Changing?
Until now, immigration enforcement in Florida primarily fell under federal jurisdiction or was handled through local jails participating in voluntary agreements with ICE. Under the newly adopted “Task Force Model” of 287(g), FDLE agents and Capitol Police officers statewide now have direct authority to:

• Question individuals about their immigration status if suspected of being in the U.S. unlawfully;

• Arrest and detain people for immigration violations;

• Transfer detained individuals directly to ICE without waiting for federal agents to intervene;

• Process federal immigration paperwork, including issuing detainers and collecting evidence.

Unlike some prior 287(g) programs that operated mainly in county jails, Florida’s version extends these powers to state-level officers in the field.

Why It Matters Orlando
For communities, especially those with large immigrant populations, this change means state agents are now formally involved in federal immigration enforcement, not just federal or county officers.

In practice, this could increase the likelihood of immigration-related detentions during routine law enforcement activities unrelated to criminal conduct — traffic stops, neighborhood patrols, or investigations where immigration status is questioned.

Community leaders and immigration attorneys have raised concerns about how these powers could affect trust between law enforcement and immigrant communities. While supporters argue it will help remove individuals with criminal records who are subject to deportation, critics point out that 287(g) programs nationwide have historically been linked with racial profiling allegations and strained police-community relationships.

According to the Florida Sheriff’s Association, all county sheriff’s offices and county jails have 287(g) agreements in place including the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. The Orlando Police Department has also signed the agreement.

Who Does This Affect?
FDLE’s authority under 287(g) focuses on identifying “criminal aliens,” typically defined as non-citizens charged with or convicted of crimes. However, under the program’s language, agents may also question and detain individuals simply suspected of being unlawfully present in the U.S.

That means people without criminal histories but lacking legal status could still find themselves subject to interrogation, detainment, or transfer to ICE custody.

What’s Next?
For now, the program is fully in effect statewide. Community members concerned about these changes are encouraged to:

• Stay informed about their rights during encounters with law enforcement;

• Seek legal advice if concerned about their immigration status;

• Engage with local civic organizations tracking immigration enforcement developments.

While supporters of this enforcement describe the move as necessary to support federal efforts, it places Florida among a small group of states using state law enforcement agencies as direct partners in immigration enforcement. Whether that approach will lead to safer communities or unintended consequences remains a live question for Floridians on both sides of the debate.

Read Florida Immigration Enforcement Plan Keeps Locations Secret Under State Law