Florida News

Florida’s hospitality industry asks Trump administration for leeway after TPS protections gutted

“Many affected employees are long-serving, legally authorized workers who are central to restaurant operations”

by Ana Goñi-Lessan, News Service of Florida July 7, 2026July 7, 2026

Immigration

Orange County’s revised ICE agreement now in effect, limiting immigrant detention

The revised agreement limits how long the Orange County Jail is obligated to hold people for ICE while remaining compliant with state law.

by McKenna Schueler July 1, 2026July 1, 2026

Florida News

Miccosukee Tribe wants ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ — but Miami doesn’t have the land back

This means Miami can’t begin to sell or transfer the Everglades land to a conservator, as planned — at least not yet.

by Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix July 1, 2026July 1, 2026

News

Florida pushes police to step up immigration enforcement, some agencies still aren’t participating

Some agencies, including some of the largest sheriffs and police departments in the state, still aren’t participating

by Ana Goñi-Lessan, News Service of Florida July 1, 2026July 1, 2026

Florida News

Florida blocks undocumented immigrants from state colleges, GED programs

Undocumented immigrants will be blocked from adult general education programs in high schools and state colleges

by Ana Goñi-Lessan, News Service of Florida July 1, 2026July 1, 2026

Immigration

Maxwell Frost urges Senate to extend TPS for Haitians after Supreme Court ruling

“The administration has chosen to rip away legal protections from people who follow the rules, so they can fuel a sinister mass deportation agenda.”

by McKenna Schueler June 26, 2026June 26, 2026

Florida News

DeSantis hails ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ as victory while confirming its shutdown

It lasted just under a year.

by Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix June 26, 2026June 26, 2026

Florida News

‘No brainer’: DeSantis lauds SCOTUS for allowing deportations of Haitians, Syrians with TPS

He praised the Trump administration’s impending mass deportations of Haitian and Syrian migrants legally sheltered within the United States

by Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix June 26, 2026June 26, 2026

Florida News

Florida still owes $603 million on immigration enforcement contracts

60% of the bills for detention camps remain unpaid

by Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix June 17, 2026June 17, 2026

Florida News

ICE empties ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ amid hurricane season. Activists aren’t buying it

“They built it and filled it with people during the hurricane season last year, so that makes no sense”

by Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix June 17, 2026June 17, 2026

Florida News

DeSantis approves $87M in immigration grants that include tasers, riot gear, ballistic panels, E-bikes

The $87 million will go to 56 local law enforcement agencies

by Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix June 9, 2026June 9, 2026

Immigration

Orange County Sheriff’s Office snags largest request for state funds for immigration enforcement

The $10.8 million request is the largest of 17 requests submitted by local law enforcement agencies in Florida that are seeking state immigration enforcement funds.

by McKenna Schueler June 5, 2026June 5, 2026

Orlando Area News

Orange County changes ICE agreement, limiting detention in local jail

The change will prohibit federal immigration agents from booking people who don’t have criminal charges. It still needs final approval from the feds to take effect.

by McKenna Schueler June 5, 2026June 5, 2026

News

Orange County officials will alter ICE agreement next week

This move will effectively restrict how long the Orange County Jail can detain people on behalf of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

by McKenna Schueler May 29, 2026May 29, 2026

Florida News

‘Wound down and shut down’: Orlando Rep. Maxwell Frost says ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ is closing

He described a “silent” scene of dwindling staff, emptied offices, and whispers of “decompressing” the facility

by Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix May 28, 2026May 28, 2026

Orlando Area News

Orlando’s Uncle Lou released from jail into ICE custody

The law firm representing Cleon Williams (“Uncle Lou”) confirmed the news Tuesday morning.

by McKenna Schueler May 19, 2026May 20, 2026

Florida News

‘Alligator Alcatraz’ payments land at last: $58 million to hit Florida next week

It’ll be the first installment of the federal government’s promised $608 million reimbursements

by Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix May 18, 2026May 18, 2026

Florida News

Florida has spent $460 million on immigration enforcement in past year

The fund was created in 2022 to handle hurricane preparation and response and other natural disasters

by Ana Goñi-Lessan, News Service of Florida May 12, 2026May 12, 2026

Florida News

DeSantis addresses reports that ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ may close soon

He did not dispute the possible shutdown, instead reiterating that it is a stopgap meant to help the federal government house detainees

by Jay Waagmeester, Florida Phoenix May 8, 2026May 8, 2026

Florida News

Florida spent $34M on tech at ‘Alligator Alcatraz,’ but says phones for detainees too expensive

Adding landlines or building cell towers would be “entirely unfeasible,” DEM argued Wednesday in court filings

by Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix April 25, 2026April 25, 2026