Several universities in Florida have announced partnerships with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to carry out immigration enforcement efforts on campus.
Florida Atlantic University, the University of Florida, and the University of South Florida are looking to deputize campus police through the agreements.
The University of Central Florida Police Department has also signed an agreement with ICE. University spokesperson Courtney Gilmartin confirmed the development in an emailed statement to WFTV 9: “The UCF Police Department follows all state and federal laws, and yes, we have signed a 287G agreement.”
FAU spokesperson Joshua Glanzer said in a statement that the university is “simply following guidance from the Governor’s Feb. 19 directive to state law enforcement agencies, of which FAUPD and other state university police departments are included.”
Governor Ron DeSantis’ (R) February directive allowed local officers to “serve and execute warrants of arrest for immigration violations” and “interrogate any suspected alien or person believed to be an alien as to their right to be in the United States.”
“Florida is setting the example for states in combating illegal immigration and working with the Trump Administration to restore the rule of law,” DeSantis said at the time. “By allowing our state agents and law enforcement officers to be trained and approved by ICE, Florida will now have more enforcement personnel deputized to assist federal partners. That means deportations can be carried out more efficiently, making our communities safer as illegal aliens are removed.”
Under 287(g) agreements, participating law enforcement agencies have the authority to interrogate, arrest, issue immigration detainers, and prepare charging documents for illegal immigrants.
