Orlando Area News

Jerry Demings applauds GOP sheriffs for speaking against federal immigration efforts

“They have gone overboard,” Orange County Mayor and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Demings said of ICE

by Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix March 23, 2026March 23, 2026

Orlando Area News

Feds offer no confirmation on whether ICE will open new office near UCF

The U.S. General Services Administration has offered conflicting answers and information on plans to expand ICE’s presence in Orlando.

by McKenna Schueler March 20, 2026March 20, 2026

Florida News

‘Incoherent’: DeSantis slams sheriffs’ pushback on deporting undocumented immigrants

DeSantis called the idea of a citizenship path for crime-free undocumented immigrants “incoherent” and ill-advised

by Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix March 19, 2026March 19, 2026

Florida News

Sheriff Grady Judd still backs ICE, but calls for ‘path forward’ on immigration

Judd, a top Republican and favorite of Gov. DeSantis, doubled down by again calling for an end to deportations of undocumented immigrants who “add to society”

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

Florida News

Florida sheriffs rebel against Trump and DeSantis mass deportation efforts

It’s a striking shift from law enforcement in the nation’s most aggressive anti-undocumented immigration state

by Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix March 16, 2026March 16, 2026

Florida News

FEMA lifts environmental hold on $608M grant for ‘Alligator Alcatraz,’ ‘Deportation Depot’

The Trump administration lifted an environmental funding hold that had stalled the dollars for months

by Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix March 16, 2026March 16, 2026

Orlando Area News

Orange County leaders unanimously approve resolution opposing proposed ICE facility

The resolution is symbolic, but demonstrates a united commitment “to public safety, to the rule of law and to treating every person with dignity,” per Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings.

by McKenna Schueler March 10, 2026March 10, 2026

Hundreds rally outside of Orlando City Hall in protest of an ICE agent's killing of Minneapolis woman Renee Good (Jan. 11, 2026)

Immigration

Orange County crafts resolution opposing an ICE detention facility

The resolution doesn’t have any teeth to stop a new facility, but it does offer a look at where Orange County leaders stand

by McKenna Schueler March 5, 2026March 10, 2026

News

Orlando airport authority launches food drive for TSA workers affected by DHS funding lapse

The federal funding lapse began last month with a disagreement in Congress over Democrats’ proposed reforms to ICE

by McKenna Schueler March 5, 2026March 6, 2026

News

Florida planned $645M for waste company Doodie Calls at detention centers

Emergency managers say projected costs at migrant detention centers have since been revised downward

by Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix March 3, 2026March 3, 2026

News

Timeline of confusion: Cost projections for ‘Alligator Alcatraz,’ ‘Deportation Depot’

Nearly 3,000 pages of records show the Florida Division of Emergency Management adjusted calculations several times between June and November

by Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix March 2, 2026March 2, 2026

Immigration

Trump’s immigration agenda sows fear among Central Florida tourism workers

About one-third of the nation’s hospitality industry workforce — in hotels, airports, restaurants and theme parks — are immigrants.

by McKenna Schueler February 26, 2026February 27, 2026

News

Trump administration won’t pay for ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ construction costs, DOJ says

A $608 million federal reimbursement won’t cover construction costs — if the money comes through at all

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

Immigration

Demings gives feds more time to renegotiate reimbursement for ICE detention costs

Federal officials requested the county extend their deadline for negotiations after Demings threatened to potentially cancel their agreement allowing the local jail to serve as a temporary detention center.

by McKenna Schueler February 24, 2026February 25, 2026

News

Eyeball scanners, surveillance towers part of $40M immigration grants for local police

DeSantis approved more than $40 million in Florida immigration grants to pay local law enforcement to capture and hold detainees

by Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix February 24, 2026February 24, 2026

News

Florida to give $50M to local law agencies for immigration enforcement

About half of those funds are being allocated to only one county.

by News Service of Florida February 19, 2026February 19, 2026

News

Florida backs down: DeSantis’ emergency fund can be used on immigration

Uthmeier called the House’s plan to limit spending “moronic” while the governor’s staff suggested the bill’s architects aren’t real Republicans

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

Immigration

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings threatens to cancel agreement with ICE over costs

Demings sent a letter to the feds expressing concern about how much it’s costing local taxpayers to house people detained by ICE in the Orange County Jail

by McKenna Schueler February 17, 2026February 17, 2026