News Summary
Orange County officials, led by Mayor Jerry Demings, have rejected an ICE proposal requiring local staff to transport federal detainees to a new facility. Concerns over logistical challenges, financial implications, and community impact outweighed the proposal’s merits. The county is considering renegotiating their intergovernmental agreement with ICE amidst local advocacy for detainee transparency and against potential federal funding cuts.
Orlando, Florida – Orange County officials have announced their decision to reject a proposal from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) which would have required local correctional staff to transport federal detainees to a new detention facility known informally as “Alligator Alcatraz,” located over 230 miles away from the Orange County Jail.
Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings and Corrections Chief Louis Quinones made the announcement during a county commission meeting, emphasizing that it is not the county’s responsibility to transport federal inmates. The travel time to the new detention center exceeds four hours, which presents significant logistical challenges.
Demings previously served as the Orange County sheriff and as Orlando’s first African American police chief. As a term-limited mayor, he cannot seek re-election. Quinones added that taking on the responsibility of transporting ICE detainees would strain the already limited resources and capacity of the correctional department.
The proposal was intended as a voluntary amendment to the existing agreement between ICE and Orange County, which is one of six facilities in Florida that temporarily houses detainees for up to 72 hours before they are transferred to other facilities. However, the financial implications were also at the forefront of discussions, as the cost to taxpayers for each ICE detainee incarcerated in Orange County Jail is approximately $145 per day, while the federal government only reimburses $88.
In light of pressure from the local advocacy group, Immigrants Are Welcome Here coalition, Demings and the commission are actively looking to negotiate changes to their intergovernmental services agreement with ICE. Community advocates have raised concerns over reports of detainees being “disappeared” from the jail’s database, complicating efforts for families to locate their loved ones.
As a response, the county has begun to implement measures to ensure that detainees are more visibly tracked in the online public database. Advocates continue to urge for the repeal of the intergovernmental agreement altogether, claiming that its presence fosters ongoing fear and hardship within the community.
Sister Anna Kendrick from the Hope CommUnity Center noted the consequences faced by many community members who live in constant fear of ICE raids, contributing to an environment of anxiety and distress.
The new detention center, referred to as “Alligator Alcatraz,” was constructed in just eight days and has drawn criticism from lawmakers regarding its chaotic and disturbing condition. Reports have emerged detailing concerns about overcrowding and inadequate access to essential services for detainees, intensifying the urgency of the situation for local officials.
In light of these ongoing discussions, the county commission is contemplating limiting the time inmates can be housed at the Orange County Jail to no longer than 48 hours. They are also considering the possibility of housing only those detainees facing criminal charges, further clarifying the county’s stance on the issue.
Despite the decision to reject the ICE transportation proposal, some commissioners have raised alarms about the potential repercussions of this choice, including the risk of federal funding cuts. Orange County receives over $100 million annually for various local programs which could be jeopardized. Additionally, the state attorney general has indicated that local officials could face removal for failing to comply with state immigration efforts.
The county’s approach appears focused on renegotiating its agreement with ICE rather than terminating it, as they navigate the potential legal and financial implications of their decisions.
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Additional Resources
- MyNews13: Orange County Wants to Renegotiate Terms of Agreement with ICE
- Wikipedia: Immigration and Customs Enforcement
- WFTV: Orange County Leaders Want to Negotiate with ICE
- Google Search: Orange County ICE Detention
- ClickOrlando: Orange County Commission to Vote on Controversial ICE Transport Agreement
- Google Scholar: Orange County ICE Detention Agreement
- Orlando Weekly: Orange County Rejects Plan for Local Jail Staff to Transport ICE Detainees
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Immigration
- Orlando Sentinel: Orange County Looks to Stop Holding ICE Detainees
- Google News: Orange County ICE
