That's how the Florida police identify immigrants and people of interest: strategies and processes

Within the framework of the new package of migratory regulations, signed by the governor of Florida Ron DeSantis, on February 13, the law enforcement agencies of the Sunny State have joined operations with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to identify and capture undocumented immigrants with criminal records. 

According to a recent statement by Robert Hardwick, sheriff of St. Johns County, located northwest of the state, very close to the city of Jacksonville, his department will provide support to ICE and other immigration agencies to enforce immigration laws promoted by the United States President, Donald Trump, since his inauguration in January of this year. 

“Our agents work with ICE, the Border Patrol, and other federal agencies to ensure compliance with immigration law,” declared Hardwick. 

How will the Florida police help ICE and other immigration agencies? 

Firstly, and although it is not a new operation, the sheriff reminded that a large part of St. Johns County is part of the 287 (g) program or Immigration Authority Delegation Section 287 (g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. 

According to what is stipulated on the ICE official website, this regulation establishes the delegation to state and local law enforcement officers the authority to perform specific immigration officer functions, all under the direction and supervision of the agency. 

This program, as established by ICE, aims to enhance the safety of U.S. communities by allowing the Enforcement and Removal Office (ERO), to partner with local and state agencies to identify and remove criminally convicted individuals from the country. 

Hardwick also mentioned that although the county jail is not a federal detention center, it has become a place where immigrants can be held prior to processing. 

In addition to this action, the sheriff of St. John's County also mentioned that with the support of the Highway Patrol, documented immigrants will also be interrogated and arrested. 

For this purpose, random checks will be conducted on roads and highways to review documentation, cross-reference prints with federal databases, and determine if there is a deportation order or criminal history against immigrants. 

The sheriff also mentioned that other technological tools have been implemented to detect the entry of immigrants without legal status through license plate readers on various roads: “we receive daily alerts of between 17 to 22 vehicles linked to wanted individuals, stolen cars, or pending deportation orders”. 

*This article has been automatically translated using artificial intelligence