Florida law enforcement prepares for increase in immigration detentions amid federal crackdown
Florida detention centers preparing for illegal migrants
Central Florida detention centers are getting ready to take in an influx of illegal migrants.
PALM COAST, Fla. - Immigration enforcement efforts across Florida are ramping up, leading to increased detentions and heightened concerns among immigrant communities.
Federal agents detained multiple individuals at the Roselea Manor Apartments in Sanford on Wednesday, and local detention centers are preparing for an influx of detainees.
Local law enforcement plan for potential increase in detainees
What we know:
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has reached out, and they are offering space for detainees, while Marion County law enforcement is closely monitoring the situation.
The latest push for increased immigration enforcement follows reports that the Trump administration is pressuring ICE to raise its daily arrest numbers from a few hundred to over a thousand. This policy shift is already creating fear in local communities.
Meanwhile, local law enforcement agencies are preparing for a potential increase in detainees but emphasize that they are still in the early stages of adjusting to the federal crackdown.
What we don't know:
It remains unclear how widespread these raids will become and how many individuals will be detained in Florida. Additionally, while ICE is reportedly being pushed to increase daily arrests nationwide, it is unknown how significantly this will impact Florida.
What they're saying:
Lt. Paul Bloom of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office acknowledged the potential for an increase in detainees.
"Could we potentially see an increase in the number of illegal immigrants in our jail? It's very possible as this continues. But I think we're still very in the very early stages of this adjustment."
Community members and legal professionals are voicing concern over the uncertainty surrounding immigration enforcement. Estefania Laurida, who works with The Immigration Advocates, said her office is receiving 50-60 extra calls per day from organizations and families seeking guidance.
She explained, "We're getting calls from organizations on how to handle raids, families where not everyone has citizenship, and clients with pending cases."
Laurida noted that even immigration attorneys who previously did not handle detainment cases now need to consider it.
"At this point, for immigration firms that weren’t doing detainment work, they need to consider. A lot more people are getting detained, and we need to get people out."
Immigration attorneys are struggling to keep up with shifting policies, with Laurida noting that eligibility for protection can change suddenly. She highlighted the case of Venezuelan nationals.
"As the law evolves, things change. You may have been eligible for something before, and you're not now. We're seeing that with Venezuelans — TPS rescinded."
What's next:
The growing number of detentions in Florida could impact families, local communities, and legal resources. As more individuals are detained, concerns over due process and legal representation are growing, affecting not just undocumented immigrants but also mixed-status families and those with pending cases. That could mean many policies from the Trump administration could get held up in court proceedings.
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The Source: This story was written based on information shared by the Sanford Police Department, the Flagler County Sheriff's Office, the Marion County Sheriff's Office, and Estefania Laurida with The Immigration Advocates.