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

A lapse in federal funding for DHS is about to hit home for Transportation Security Administration officers who work at Orlando airports.

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Bill allowing Florida to designate domestic terrorist organizations passes in House

Orlando Rep. Rita Harris said the bill places “an extraordinary concentration of power” in the hands of just a few government officials

by Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix March 4, 2026March 4, 2026

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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

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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

by Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix February 13, 2026February 13, 2026

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Bill to ban non-English driver’s tests, penalize employers of undocumented immigrants, moves

A wide-ranging Florida immigration bill focused on driver’s tests and undocumented workers cleared its first House committee

by Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix February 11, 2026February 11, 2026

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Florida bill to brand certain groups as domestic terrorists advances

The bill includes a provision that would ban schools with affiliations to designated foreign or domestic terrorist organizations from receiving school voucher funds

by Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix February 11, 2026February 11, 2026

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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

by Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix February 11, 2026February 11, 2026

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Florida driver’s license tests will only be offered in English

Language-translation services won’t be allowed either, starting Feb. 6

by News Service of Florida February 2, 2026February 2, 2026

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Florida universities move closer to yearlong freeze on H-1B visas

The vote comes at the urging of Gov. Ron DeSantis

by Jay Waagmeester, Florida Phoenix January 30, 2026January 30, 2026

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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

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

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The 5 biggest legal fights in the first year of Trump’s mass deportation push

The first year of Trump’s return to the White House was defined by clashes with the judiciary branch and an aggressive immigration agenda

by Ariana Figueroa, The Florida Phoenix January 20, 2026January 20, 2026

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Immigration bills to watch during Florida’s 2026 session

Quashing illegal immigration remains a headlining agenda item for DeSantis and the Republican-dominated state House and Senate

by Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix January 13, 2026January 13, 2026

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Sweeping new legislation targets employers who hire undocumented immigrants

The 34-page bill would presume certain non-citizens are at fault in car accidents, severely restrict their employment, and prevent Florida banks from loaning them money

by Liv Caputo, Florida Phoenix January 8, 2026January 8, 2026