Florida’s new agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will allow a small group of trained prison guards to perform some immigration law enforcement functions, including identifying criminal aliens who are in custody and considered a public risk.
The officers will be authorized to interrogate any person in custody, serve warrants of arrest for immigration violations, take and consider evidence deemed necessary to process, administer oaths, prepare charging documents and Notices to Appear, detain and transport illegal aliens to federal detention centers.
“I believe public safety is important to maintain the best quality of life in our communities which is why I am extremely pleased that the Legislature gave me a sanctuary city bill I signed into law,” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said in a statement.
“Earlier this year, I made a promise that we would ban sanctuary cities in Florida and today we are delivering on that promise. I am proud to sign the bill presented to me by the FL Legislature to uphold the rule of law and ensure that our communities are safe,” DeSantis wrote in June on Twitter.
“Public safety is paramount and local law enforcement agencies can and should work with the federal government to ensure that accountability and justice are one in our state.”