Kevin Guthrie, head of Florida’s Division of Emergency Management (DEM), issued a controversial directive instructing local officials to gather personal data about suspected undocumented immigrants starting April 1. Sheriffs immediately pushed back, arguing the measure overstepped local law enforcement duties.
The memo demanded detailed information such as addresses, employers, phone numbers, criminal history, and photographs of suspected undocumented immigrants. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd and Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri voiced strong objections. They criticized the directive for bypassing local law enforcement’s chain of command and potentially duplicating federal agency data. Judd emphasized the flawed nature of not consulting local sheriffs, leading to the directive’s suspension.
This directive is part of a broader trend of state agencies getting involved in immigration enforcement, a domain typically managed by federal authorities. Under Governor Ron DeSantis, Florida is ramping up its internal immigration enforcement efforts, intending to support President Donald Trump’s deportation goals. Larry Keefe outlined plans to utilize DEM’s emergency management skills to house and transport immigrants for deportation.
Privacy and legal concerns are prominent, with sheriffs stressing the necessity of preventing disclosure of confidential data and ensuring collected information aligns with legal standards. The directive’s suspension shows the complexity of balancing law enforcement efficacy with individual privacy rights.
Although halted, the State Immigration Enforcement Council continues crafting guidelines for local law enforcement’s data collection and reporting processes. The council aims to support federal immigration enforcement without overstepping jurisdictional boundaries. Additionally, they are establishing a grant program of $250 million to assist officers in training for federal authorization in immigration enforcement.
State legislative leaders, including Speaker Daniel Perez and Senate President Ben Albritton, are involved in overseeing these measures, indicating strong political support for Florida’s bolstered contribution to national immigration enforcement. In summary, while Florida’s efforts signal a coordinated approach to enhanced immigration enforcement, it faces resistance and calls for refinement from local law enforcement concerned about overreach and privacy issues.
