LARGO, Fla. (WFLA) – A team of Florida sheriffs have announced a new program with ICE officials to help detain illegal immigrants who are in state jails.
Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri and Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd were on hand Monday morning to announce the Warrant Service Officer Program.
ICE agents will train Florida deputies to serve federal warrants to illegal inmates in Florida jails in an effort to help ICE agents detain them.
“This program gives sheriffs the legal support to help federal law enforcement keep dangerous criminal illegal aliens out of their communities,” said National Sheriffs’ Association Executive Director Jonathan Thompson.
“It will not only decrease sheriff’s liability but will give them the proper training to enforce the law.”
WSO officers will only make arrests within the confines of the jail at which they work, and ICE will still issue immigration detainers with partner jurisdictions.
“People in our country illegally who commit crimes must not be released back into our communities where they harm others,” Gualtieri said.
“The Warrant Service Officer program allows sheriffs to lawfully help ICE keep criminal illegal aliens in jail and off the street by serving ICE arrest warrants. The WSO program helps enforce the rule of law and keeps our communities safe.”
