Florida Sheriff Calls for Better Collaboration with Federal Immigration Authorities
A Florida sheriff stated that federal immigration authorities need to remove the "shackles" from local law enforcement to enhance community safety from illegal criminal migrants.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd emphasized that local departments could be the "biggest assets" for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in fulfilling President Donald Trump's pledge to deport illegal immigrants.
He underscored the necessity for federal infrastructure to house migrants, urging federal authorities to "take the chain off" local municipalities.
"There's got to be an infrastructure at the federal level to house these folks because we can scoop them up in large quantities because they're here illegally committing crime," he said. "There's 1.4 million with a federal warrant or a removal order. If we can identify them, put them in the computer, we can go pick them up."
Judd also noted the importance of creating infrastructure. "You can't just flip the switch on and off. You've got to put infrastructure together. But we will be an ally at an even greater level than we already have been," he mentioned.
Polk County signed a memorandum of agreement in 2019 to collaborate with ICE officials.
He lamented the decrease in cooperation under the Biden administration, stating that it seemed there was a preference to keep criminal illegal aliens in the country.
Judd praised Florida officials for working on state legislation to ensure cooperation at all governmental levels regarding immigration.
He pointed out an information gap between local law enforcement and federal officials, stressing the importance of communication.
Judd shared that a criminal migrant previously in their custody was encountered again with a DUI, raising concerns over ICE's hold procedures.
He provided instances of migrant crime affecting Polk County residents, including targeting Asian-American businesses and instances of traffic fatalities.
Despite challenges, Judd noted that their crime rate is at a 53-year low due to their tough-on-crime approach.
He concluded by calling for the federal government to escalate efforts against illegal immigration and its associated problems.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(674x405:676x407)/taylor-swift-super-bowl-020925-3057f19b2ec24796906bcd62d0a5f9aa.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(728x298:730x300)/Tom-Brady-and-his-watch-Super-Bowl-2025-020925-1-dfb41b5902e8425388ee6f56adceac93.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/healthiest-snacks-GettyImages-1252756228-77a06f5c53824200875d55dd58d3b275.jpg)
