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DeSantis Secures Orange County ICE Transport Agreement Under Protest, Unveils New Patrol Immigration Unit

Mayor Jerry Demings signed the amendment under protest following a warning from state Attorney General James Uthmeier that refusal would trigger his suspension or removal from office.

Florida governor Ron DeSantis delivers remarks at the 2025 Florida Sheriffs Association Summer Conference at the Omni Orlando Resort in Championsgate, Fla., Tuesday, July 29, 2025. DeSantis addressed several topics including touting Florida’s immigration enforcement policy –– referencing the deployment of Alligator Alcatraz, the state's immigration detention and deportation center in the Everglades. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings holds a copy of a letter from Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier warning of penalties the mayor and county commissioners could face if they did not approve an amendment to a cooperative agreement with ICE. The amendment would allow county jail officers to transport ICE detainees to federal detention facilities hundreds of miles away. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
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Overview

  • Attorney General James Uthmeier warned that rejecting the transport amendment violated state law and could lead to the removal of Mayor Jerry Demings and all six county commissioners.
  • Jerry Demings signed the 287(g) addendum “under protest and extreme duress” to permit Orange County corrections officers to transfer immigrant detainees to ICE facilities.
  • Governor Ron DeSantis used a press conference at Florida Highway Patrol Troop D Headquarters in Orlando to announce the formation of a new FHP immigration enforcement unit.
  • Orange County officials cited a 24% vacancy rate in the corrections department and the need for specialized training as significant barriers to handling detainee transports.
  • The Orange County Board of County Commissioners is scheduled to revisit and vote on the amended ICE transport agreement at its August 5 meeting.