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

Demings, a Democrat who hopes to succeed DeSantis in the governor’s mansion, says it’s about time they spoke up.

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

News

DeSantis, Cabinet approve $14 million for immigration crackdown

Items approved in the grants include bulletproof vests, AI-assisted translation software and license-plate readers

by News Service of Florida October 1, 2025October 1, 2025

News

Florida sheriffs want $250M in state grants for immigration crackdown

The wish-list includes bullet-proof vests, AI-assisted software, license-plate readers and money for bonuses

by Dara Kam, News Service of Florida September 30, 2025September 30, 2025

News

These Florida sheriffs are no longer enforcing open-carry ban

Not all law enforcement agencies are dropping enforcement — at least not yet

by Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix September 12, 2025September 12, 2025

News

Florida bill to scrap anonymous law enforcement complaints approved by House

The Florida Sheriffs Association and the Florida Police Chiefs Association have both came out in opposition to the bill

by Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix April 25, 2025May 16, 2025

News

DeSantis says Florida sheriffs’ deputies will carry out ‘street-level’ immigration enforcement

The agreements are part of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement ‘task force model’ program

by Jackie Llanos, Florida Phoenix February 27, 2025July 1, 2025

News

Florida sheriffs fall in line with Trump’s mass deportation efforts

Under the agreements, sheriffs’ deputies with special training can process immigration ‘detainers’ issued by federal authorities to keep inmates in jail

by Dara Kam, News Service of Florida February 26, 2025April 17, 2025