According to the General Services Administration (GSA), certain targeted cities in Florida may soon see additional federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents coming to their areas.
The government is seeking office space to rent for an additional 70 workers’ stations in the cities of Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Naples, Sunrise and Tampa.
What this could mean for Florida immigrants
While most of the posts the government plans to fill are administrative support positions, it is also reasonable to surmise that the additional personnel could hasten deportations. As of last month, 59,762 individuals were being held in detention by ICE.
Authorities double down on crackdown
Kristi Noem, the Department of Homeland Security Secretary, recently announced that, “We’re not gonna back off, in fact, we are doubling down, and we are going to be in more [cities].” Sheriff’s officers and city law enforcement personnel are being deputized with the power and authority of ICE agents who can detain, stop and question anyone that they suspect may have violated our country’s immigration laws.
To support the federal government’s immigration crackdown, multiple cities and sheriff’s offices across Florida have signed 287(g) agreements, which effectively give their police officers immigration enforcement powers to work alongside ICE. The agreements allow officers to stop, question and detain people suspected of violating immigration laws.
What you should know
If you are an immigrant here in Florida, you have every right to be concerned about having your immigration status challenged by law enforcement. Learning more about your rights and responsibilities as an immigrant is always a good idea.