Sheriff Grady Judd of Polk County, Florida, has called on federal immigration authorities to remove the “shackles” that currently hinder local law enforcement agencies from fully collaborating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to address the issue of illegal criminal migrants. Judd emphasized that local law enforcement could serve as one of the most valuable assets for ICE in executing President Donald Trump’s commitment to deport illegal immigrants. He stressed the urgent need for federal infrastructure to detain migrants, stating that without such support, local agencies cannot effectively apprehend and process illegal criminals. Judd pointed out that there are approximately 1.4 million individuals in the U.S. with active federal warrants or deportation orders, but local agencies lack the resources and communication channels to identify and detain them efficiently.
Judd highlighted the strained relationship between local law enforcement and ICE under the Biden administration, which he believes has diminished the cooperation seen during Trump’s presidency. Polk County had signed a memorandum of agreement with ICE in 2019, allowing local authorities to work closely with federal agents to deport criminal illegal immigrants. However, Judd noted that this collaboration has significantly decreased under the current administration, with ICE reportedly refusing to take custody of many illegal criminals apprehended by local law enforcement. He criticized the federal government for prioritizing the release of these individuals over public safety, allowing them to potentially reoffend and harm innocent citizens.
One of the key challenges Judd identified is the lack of communication and information sharing between federal authorities and local law enforcement. He explained that individuals with active deportation orders are not listed in the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), a database used by law enforcement to access criminal histories and warrants. This information gap poses a significant risk to officer safety, as local authorities may unknowingly encounter illegal migrants with deportation orders during routine stops. Judd argued that if ICE were to share this information, local agencies could more effectively identify and apprehend these individuals, fostering greater collaboration and enhancing public safety.
Judd provided specific examples of how the lack of federal support has affected Polk County. In one case, his deputies apprehended a criminal migrant accused of violently choking a victim. Although they contacted ICE and placed a hold on the individual, the migrant was released and later reoffended, being caught again for driving under the influence (DUI). Judd attributed this repeat offense to ICE’s refusal to take custody of the individual, despite the deportation order. He also pointed to broader issues, such as an influx of professional burglars from Venezuela targeting Asian-American business owners in Polk County, and millions of dollars stolen by criminal migrants across the U.S., including significant losses in Central Florida.
Despite these challenges, Judd expressed optimism about Florida’s efforts to address the issue. He praised Governor Ron DeSantis and state lawmakers for working on legislation to ensure that all local governments in Florida cooperate with federal immigration authorities and establish the necessary infrastructure to support these efforts. Judd believes that such measures will help reduce crime rates, which he noted are already at a 53-year low in Polk County due to the county’s tough-on-crime approach. However, he argued that without federal support, the full potential of local law enforcement to combat illegal immigration and criminal activity cannot be realized.
In conclusion, Judd’s comments underscore the critical need for improved collaboration between federal immigration authorities and local law enforcement agencies. By addressing the information gap, providing adequate infrastructure, and fostering open communication, the federal government can empower local agencies to play a more effective role in identifying and deporting illegal criminal migrants. Judd made it clear that the safety and security of communities like Polk County depend on such partnerships, and he called on the federal government to act swiftly to address these issues and prevent further victimization of law-abiding citizens.
