DELAND, Fla. — Some law enforcement officers across the state will soon take part in training to help U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detain people who are in the U.S. illegally.

What You Need To Know

  • Some law enforcement officers across the state will soon take part in training to help ICE detain people who are in the US illegally

  • It comes with the recent announcement where all 67 county jails in Florida have signed onto a 287(g) agreement with ICE

  • One of the three models includes allowing ICE to train local jail personnel to serve warrant detainers for illegal immigrants being held in county jails

It’s part of a plan to combat illegal immigration and comes after the recent announcement where all 67 county jails in Florida have signed on to a 287(g) agreement with ice.

One of the three models includes allowing ICE to train local jail personnel to serve warrant detainers for undocumented immigrants being held in county jails.

While some jurisdictions were already part of this program, officials with Volusia County say 10 county jail employees will start training soon.

They’ll be trained through the warrant service officer model of the 287(g) program, in compliance with new state regulations. 

Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood said that overall, the 287(g) program is necessary. 

“Under the previous administration, the only way you could be deported for committing a crime is if you were convicted,” he said. “Under this administration, they’re saying, ‘Wait a minute, you came in a country illegally and you’re committing crimes. We’re going to deport you.’”

Chitwood said he understands the concern of people who may not have papers when they are stopped, but have not committed any crimes. 

“I don’t think anybody wants to have criminals here, but what’s going to happen is that category you just mentioned. They’re here, but they’re not here legally,” he said. “They’ve been here 20 years. They’re paying taxes. Eventually, I could see where this is going to go. Eventually, they will be getting caught up in it.”

Either way, he said it’s important people have their documents in case they’re pulled over.

“I understand that there’s a fear there — even though I have all the papers and even though I’m here illegally, am I going to be detained?” Chitwood said. “And I could tell you that it’s probably going to happen. You’re probably going to get stopped at a car stop, and somebody’s going to really delve into what’s going on, or dig deep in there,.”

Chitwood said that while some staff await training, the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office will cooperate with ICE.

“We have to see what is this training going to entail, and exactly what is it that they are expecting from us,” said Chitwood.

The department has already submitted documentation to participation in the program.

There are three different models in the program, including the warrant service officer.

“The WSO training is eight hours, because that’s strictly here’s how you serve a warrant,” Chitwood said. “Here’s what you need to do, here’s the steps. That’s easy. The street task force model is different.”

The task-force model enforces limited immigration authority with ICE oversight during their routine police duties.

“You’ll be able to do things you can’t do now. Car stop on the side of the road. Person says, I’m not here in the country legally. You can now investigate that and forward that information to ICE,” he said.

The last model is the jail enforcement model.

“You actually train your jail personnel to be an immigration officer,” he said.

Chitwood said there’s more guidance to come, and the program is moving fast.

The Florida Sheriffs Association this week said bed space would be an issue with this program, and the federal government will need to create the capacity for it.