Florida Sheriffs Push Targeted Deportations Over Mass Raids

Florida sheriffs, including prominent Republican law enforcement leaders, publicly challenged federal mass deportation policies during a state immigration council meeting on Monday, urging more targeted enforcement that spares undocumented immigrants without criminal records.

The State Immigration Enforcement Council, comprising eight sheriffs appointed to advise on immigration matters, convened virtually via Microsoft Teams. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, the council's chair and a longtime figure in Florida law enforcement, led the discussion, expressing concerns that current efforts by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement are ensnaring noncriminal immigrants who contribute to their communities. "While Congress sits on their hands and does nothing about this, we are on the ground floor with this day in and day out looking in the eyes of these folks that, yes, came here inappropriately," Judd said. "But some came here inappropriately only to do better for themselves and their family."

At least six of the eight council members voiced support for Judd's position, marking a departure from Florida's aggressive stance on immigration. Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell...