Florida Expands Immigration Enforcement to all 67 Counties — Are all Counties following the Rules?

Florida has expanded its partnership with federal immigration authorities, with all 67 county jails now having agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under the federal 287(g) program.

The program allows ICE to delegate certain immigration enforcement responsibilities to trained state and local law enforcement officers. Participating officers receive federal training and operate under ICE supervision.

Florida has expanded the program more extensively than many other states. The Florida Sheriffs Association announced in February 2025 that every county jail in the state had signed a written agreement with ICE.

Thousands of Immigration-Related Arrests

Florida officials have reported thousands of arrests through the state’s cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

In January 2026, Governor Ron DeSantis’ office said Operation Tidal Wave had resulted in more than 10,400 arrests since the operation began. State officials said the operation focused on people in the country illegally, including individuals with serious criminal records.

FDLE has also reported immigration enforcement operations involving people with criminal histories. In 2025, the agency said Operation Criminal Return resulted in more than 230 arrests of registered sex offenders and sexual predators who were in the country illegally.

Florida officials have separately cited a total of roughly 25,000 immigration-related arrests connected to the state’s broader enforcement efforts, with the Florida Highway Patrol accounting for more than 10,400.

Not Every Participating Agency Is Operational

Although all 67 county jails have agreements, participation does not necessarily mean that every local agency is actively making 287(g) arrests.

FDLE’s reporting has distinguished between agencies with 287(g) participation and those actively carrying out arrests under the program. State data also notes that immigration-related reporting can vary among agencies and that some data submissions may be delayed.

Florida has also established a State Immigration Enforcement Council to coordinate immigration-enforcement efforts among state and local agencies. The council includes sheriffs and police chiefs from several Florida communities, including Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters.

The expansion makes Florida one of the states with the most extensive state and local participation in federal immigration enforcement. The program remains part of the broader debate over the role of local law enforcement in enforcing federal immigration law.