Posted inNews
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
Immigration
Information and analysis on immigration, immigrant rights, and legislation pertaining to deportation and asylum.
Posted inImmigration
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.
Posted inNews
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
Posted inNews
Florida to give $50M to local law agencies for immigration enforcement
About half of those funds are being allocated to only one county.
Posted inNews
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
Posted inImmigration
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
Posted inNews
New bill blocks Florida emergency funds from being used on immigration
Democrats on Monday railed against these expenditures, calling it an “abuse” of public money
Posted inNews
Florida’s $406M immigration tab includes private jet flights and a Margaritaville hotel
Now, the Florida House wants to prevent the state’s disaster response agency from using emergency funds on immigration
Posted inOrlando Area News
Orange County officials consider resolution symbolically opposing ICE facility
After hours of discussion and a fiery public comment period, county leaders ultimately delayed any formal action.
Posted inNews
Florida emergency agency spent $405M on immigration in six months
The hundreds of millions in taxpayer dollars also covered private jet flights, restaurant meals, and badges
Posted inNews
Reps. Maxwell Frost, Darren Soto tell Kristi Noem not to open ICE facility in Orlando
Reports of ICE opening a processing center in Orlando have emerged in recent weeks, with a reported cost of nearly $100M
Posted inNews
Central Florida advocates launch ‘No ICE in our streets’ online petition drive
Petitions will be automatically filed with the signer’s local, state and federal representatives
Posted inNews
Florida universities move closer to yearlong freeze on H-1B visas
The vote comes at the urging of Gov. Ron DeSantis
Posted inNews
Florida homeowner Bruce Springsteen releases anti-ICE song
The song slams “King Trump’s private army” and venerates the observers and demonstrators who “stood for justice, their voices ringing through the night.”
Posted inNews
All ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ communications must be released to feds, court rules
The Florida agency must release all texts, emails, and other communications about how the migrant center was set up and run
Posted inNews
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer says the city can’t block feds from building ICE detention center
Dyer, who’s not seeking re-election next year, says their hands are tied by the federal supremacy clause in the U.S. Constitution.
Posted inNews
Here are all the U.S. House Democrats who want Kristi Noem impeached
The list includes Florida representatives Lois Frankel, Maxwell Frost, Darren Soto, Kathy Castor, Frederica Wilson and Debbie Wasserman Schultz
Posted inNews
Student activists organize ‘Red Card’ immigrant rights campaign for Orange County schools
They’re planning to publicly present their idea to the Orange County School Board on Feb. 10
Posted inNews
Alex Pretti killing exposes rare GOP rift on immigration — even in Florida
The death has divided conservative leaders even within Florida — the most ICE-friendly state in the nation
Posted inNews
Orlando lawmaker Anna Eskamani calls to defund, abolish ICE after Alex Pretti killed
Eskamani doesn’t have the power to withhold funding from ICE, but local U.S. Congressman Maxwell Frost has similarly stated that he believes “ICE is lawless and should not exist.”