Florida
Florida Sheriffs Outraged as ICE Uses 287(g) to Funnel Local Officers into Federal Ranks
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. (FNN) – A recruitment effort by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is drawing harsh criticism from Florida sheriffs, who accuse the federal agency of using its 287(g) partnership as a tool to siphon off deputies for federal service—raising alarms about the impact on local public safety staffing.
Related story: ABC News: ICE recruitment efforts upset some local law enforcement leaders
Sheriffs Say ICE ‘Poaching’ Officers Trained Under 287(g)
Sheriffs across Florida are sounding the alarm after learning that ICE sent recruitment emails to deputies who recently completed the agency’s 287(g) training program, a joint federal-local immigration enforcement initiative. Brevard County’s top cop, Sheriff Wayne Ivey, says more than 80 of his deputies received emails from ICE encouraging them to leave their posts and join the federal agency as full-time agents.
“This is a slap in the face,” Ivey said. “They’re taking our partnership and using it against us.”
The email from ICE touted a $50,000 signing bonus spread over five years and appealed to officers’ sense of duty: “Your experience in state or local law enforcement brings invaluable insight and skills to this mission.” However, many local agencies now feel blindsided.
New Aldi Brevard County
Related Story: NBC News: ICE efforts to poach local officers anger some local law enforcement leaders
Impact on Local Public Safety: ‘A Crisis in the Making’
Sheriff Ivey and other law enforcement leaders argue that ICE’s move undermines local public safety efforts. With staffing shortages already a growing concern, the recruitment of trained deputies by a federal partner could deepen local law enforcement gaps.
“We’re protecting our communities while ICE is recruiting our officers out from under us,” Ivey said. “It’s not just frustrating—it’s dangerous.”
Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri echoed the concern, stating, “We have partnered with ICE like no other state. For them to use that partnership to recruit our personnel is wrong.”
Email Raises Eyebrows and Anger
The recruitment email sparked confusion among some officers. Sheriff Ivey noted that many deputies deleted the email, suspecting it was a scam due to the tone and embedded link. “They didn’t even click on it,” Ivey said. “They thought it was a phishing attempt.”
Sheriffs across the country have reportedly found that the ICE emails were largely sent to local law enforcement—not state-level agencies. “They didn’t want to tick off the governors, so they just crapped on us,” Ivey added.
From Partnership to Pipeline: A Win for ICE, a Loss for Locals
Law enforcement officials say ICE’s recruitment tactics turn a longstanding partnership into a federal pipeline. The 287(g) program, designed to empower local officers with immigration enforcement capabilities, is now being viewed as a harvesting mechanism for building up ICE’s own ranks.
Stay with Florida National News for ongo ing updates on ICE’s response, public reaction, and what the controversial use of the 287(g) program means for Florida’s law enforcement leaders, county jail officials, and local government leaders. info@FloridaNationalNews.com
Florida
Joe Strada Loans Campaign $5 Million, Launches $1 Million Ad Buy in Congressional District 11
The ad was produced by political strategist Brad Herold of Something Else Strategies and marks the first major media investment of the campaign.
$5 MILLION PERSONAL LOAN TO CAMPAIGN
Strada, founder of Strada Services, announced last week that he had loaned his congressional campaign $5 million, providing the campaign with substantial financial resources early in the election cycle.
Strada Services is one of the nation’s largest privately held, family-owned companies specializing in air conditioning, electrical, security, and plumbing services.
The campaign said the loan and advertising investment demonstrate Strada’s commitment to communicating directly with voters throughout Central Florida.
FIRST MAJOR MEDIA PUSH
The $1 million advertising effort is expected to reach voters across Florida’s 11th Congressional District through a combination of television, radio, and digital media platforms.
The campaign has positioned Strada as a conservative outsider and successful entrepreneur focused on bringing private-sector experience to Washington.
Additional details regarding future advertising and campaign events are expected in the coming weeks.
ABOUT FLORIDA’S 11TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
Florida’s 11th Congressional District includes portions of Central Florida and is expected to be one of the state’s closely watched congressional races during the 2026 election cycle.
Crimes and Courts
Attorney General Uthmeier Announces Charges Against Six in South Florida Drug Trafficking Enterprise
Florida
Republican Rep. Paula Stark Disqualified From Ballot, Giving Democrats Opportunity to Flip House District 47
OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. (FNN NEWS) — Florida State Rep. Paula Stark has been disqualified from seeking reelection in Florida House District 47 after failing to satisfy candidate qualifying requirements before the noon Friday filing deadline.
According to state election records, Stark’s candidacy was disqualified due to a deficiency involving required financial disclosure filings, commonly referred to as Form 6. Florida law requires candidates for legislative office to timely submit all qualifying documents, including financial disclosure forms, to appear on the ballot.
Form 6 Financial Disclosure Requirement
Form 6 is a public financial disclosure document required for state elected officials and candidates. The form requires candidates to disclose assets, liabilities, sources of income, and other financial interests.
The disclosure includes a sworn certification stating: “Under penalties of perjury, I declare that I have read the foregoing Form 6 and that the facts stated in it are true.”
Candidates are required to complete, sign and timely file the disclosure as part of Florida’s qualifying process. Failure to properly file required qualifying documents, including Form 6, by the statutory deadline can result in disqualification from the ballot.
Democrats Advance to Primary Election
With Stark removed from contention, Democrats now have an opportunity to capture the Republican-held seat in House District 47.
The only candidates remaining in the race are:
- Jorge Figueroa, President of the Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida
- Anthony Nieves, a state investigator
The two Democrats will compete in the Aug. 18 Democratic Primary, with the winner becoming Representative-Elect.
House District 47 covers portions of Osceola County and has been represented by Stark since her election to the Florida House.
The disqualification was among the most notable developments of Florida’s 2026 candidate qualifying period and significantly alters the political landscape in a district Republicans had hoped to retain.
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