Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd stands firm in his commitment to tackling illegal immigration head-on. His recent public remarks made it clear he is unapologetic about his department’s aggressive stance. Judd highlights the dangers that arise when local governments ignore illegal immigrants with violent criminal backgrounds. “If you allow anarchists and criminals to run wild in your community, people will die. People will be shot!” he warned, emphasizing the severe consequences of inaction.
In a striking example of his department’s zero-tolerance policy, Judd described a multi-faceted operation that deployed significant resources to capture an illegal immigrant who violently resisted arrest. Using a helicopter, drone, canine unit, and a force of 50 officers, they apprehended the suspect, whom Judd insisted should have already been in jail. “We locked him up in jail where he SHOULD HAVE BEEN,” he declared, underscoring the urgency of addressing such threats.
Judd’s actions are part of a broader trend across Florida aimed at cracking down on illegal immigration in collaboration with federal authorities. The state has intensified enforcement through the 287(g) program, which empowers local law enforcement to enforce federal immigration law. This coordinated effort saw ICE team up with multiple Florida agencies for a large-scale operation in late September 2023, resulting in over 400 arrests. The individuals caught were not mere offenders; many had serious criminal backgrounds, including charges of domestic violence, drug trafficking, and child endangerment. “Many of these individuals illegally remained in Florida and have gone on to wreak havoc in our local neighborhoods,” noted ICE Miami Field Office Director Garrett Ripa, who affirmed that the focus remains on “the worst of the worst.”
The data reflects a significant impact from these initiatives. Since January 2021, Florida has experienced a staggering 577% increase in 287(g) agreements, extending the authority of local law enforcement in immigration matters. Arrests of illegal immigrants have tripled in 2024, surging from an average of 20 per day to over 64 by mid-June. This uptick includes numerous individuals who returned after previous deportations and subsequently re-offended.
Among the individuals apprehended in the September sweep, serious charges were revealed. Walter Ramiro Hernandez-Ortiz faced allegations of lewd acts involving a minor, while others like Pedro Juan Andres and Juan Carlos Hernandez-Reyes had histories of violent crimes. Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey shared Judd’s perspective, stating, “We’re not just looking to check a name off a list. We’re hunting down career offenders who should never have been on the street in the first place.”
The efforts in Florida are not taking place in isolation. State officials are leveraging all tools at their disposal to rectify what they view as a failure of federal immigration enforcement in the past. Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia characterized these lax attitudes towards immigration as a direct result of earlier amnesty policies that did not include rigorous enforcement. With nearly 3 million illegal immigrants granted amnesty under the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act, officials believe the system must be tightened to avoid repeating past mistakes.
Florida’s law enforcement leaders, including Judd, are advocating for a nationwide overhaul, citing troubling statistics. “74% of the illegal immigrants our deputies detained had criminal charges against them,” Judd asserted, calling for a more unified approach to immigration enforcement across the country.
The enforcement measures extend beyond apprehensions. The Florida Department of Government Efficiency intends to launch audits of local governments, aiming to prevent the misuse of funds that could inadvertently support illegal immigration. Governor Ron DeSantis has mandated these audits, making it clear they are “no longer optional.” Alongside this, there are proposed legislative measures that will penalize employers who hire illegal immigrants, limit benefits for these individuals, and implement new requirements for English proficiency among commercial drivers.
As Sheriff Chris Nocco of Pasco County echoed support for strict enforcement, he noted the tangible results: his department arrested ten illegal immigrants on state charges in just three months. “These are people who never should have been in this country,” he affirmed. However, these aggressive actions come with challenges. Sheriff Judd indicated that local jails are nearing capacity, with immigration-related detentions overwhelming the system. “This housing system as it is right now in the state of Florida is overwhelming. It’s already overwhelmed,” he said, highlighting the strains on local resources.
Nonetheless, Judd and his colleagues are not advocating for a slowdown. They argue that Florida’s current model should serve as a blueprint for other states. “We proved that law enforcement, when united, can shut the door on criminals who shouldn’t be here—fast,” Judd concluded. While discussions continue about the long-term implications of such enforcement strategies, proponents maintain that immediate gains in public safety and morale within law enforcement justify the ongoing effort.
"*" indicates required fields
