POLK COUNTY, Fla. — Florida law enforcement agencies received additional funding to enforce federal immigration laws.
On Thursday sheriffs from across the state received reimbursement checks from Florida's Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia for participating in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's 287(g) program. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office received the largest amount of more than $1 million.
WATCH: Florida CFO gives checks to sheriffs for immigration enforcement
The 287(g) program allows local law enforcement to work directly with federal immigration officials to identify undocumented immigrants who are accused of or have been convicted of crimes.
"Florida is leading this nation with arrests and deportation. Almost 20,000 so far since we started this," said Ingoglia.
A total of over $1.7 million in federal funding was given to law enforcement agencies in Polk, Hernando, Hardee, Pasco, and Sarasota counties to ensure that they have the resources to continue working with ICE to enforce federal immigration laws.
The Polk County Sheriff's Office received the bulk of that money. Sheriff Grady Judd said 557 undocumented immigrants were arrested in Polk County in 2025.
"We're reimbursed for our resources. Whether it be our bookend costs, our initial housing costs, whether it's transportation, fuel, gas, equipment, law enforcement officers' costs," Judd said.
The CFO also outlined proposed immigration reform legislation. They include requiring all state commercial driver's license instruction and testing to be conducted only in English.
It would also prohibit undocumented immigrants from obtaining workers' compensation coverage. The proposed legislation also blocks undocumented immigrants from participating in down payment assistance programs.
"And we want to require car insurance companies that insure illegal aliens, using outlaw driver's license to fully accept the financial burden of a car accident involving an illegal alien," said Ingoglia.
The proposed immigration reform legislation will next move through the house and senate.
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