Immigration in Florida Archives - Creative Loafing Tampa

A close-up official portrait photograph of Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri. Looking directly forward with a subtle smile, Gualtieri is shaved bald and wears a dark green Pinellas County Sheriff's Office uniform shirt with gold star insignia on the collar, gold shoulder embroidery, and a dark tie. Behind him on the left stands an American flag on a wooden flagpole with a gold eagle topper, and to his right, a large gold Pinellas County Sheriff's Office star badge seal is mounted on a grey wall.

How Pinellas Sheriff Bob Gualtieri became an architect of mass deportation

Hundreds of jails have incorporated policies designed by Gualtieri to streamline collaboration with ICE.

by Valerie Smith September 9, 2026September 9, 2026

You can’t accuse Bob Gualtieri of going with the flow. The Pinellas County sheriff has the rare combination of brains and guts to go against the current and move the needle on nationwide policy. His undertakings are enabled by his legal savvy and the respect held for him by law enforcement and legislators. One of […]

A high-contrast shot of law enforcement at a public doorway. Agent Greg Bovino is the central focus, looking toward the side with a serious expression, equipped with a body camera and tactical gear. The scene includes a "Circle K" storefront sign in the background and a person in a camo face mask.

Border Patrol to hold recruiting event at St. Pete Hilton, despite activist pressure

The event is part of a nationwide effort to add agents for CPB, a group with a reputation for aggressive and violent immigration enforcement tactics.

by Valerie Smith January 12, 2026January 12, 2026

A public official wearing a light-colored jacket speaks to reporters outside a government building, surrounded by microphones and cameras held by members of the press, with several people standing nearby.

Florida Republican wants to ban public colleges from admitting undocumented students

SB 1052 instructs public colleges and universities to exclusively admit students who are ‘citizen[s] of the United States” or “lawfully present therein.’

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix January 7, 2026January 7, 2026

Nighttime photo of a church building with a cross-topped bell tower and stained glass windows. The facade is illuminated with rainbow-colored lights and a large projected message that reads “ABOLISH ICE” in bold white letters. Trees and shadows are visible in the foreground against a cloudy night sky.

In St. Pete, activists push for Bay area police to drop ICE agreements

There is no requirement for municipalities to sign 287(g) agreements with ICE.

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix September 8, 2025September 8, 2025

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaks at a podium with a sign reading "FIGHTING FENTANYL" in bold letters. He is flanked by law enforcement officers in tactical vests, with American and Florida state flags in the background, along with Florida Department of Law Enforcement insignia.

DeSantis says the state is looking into opening a new immigration detention facility in west Florida

The first deportation facility, in the Everglades, opened earlier this summer, must be shut down, a federal judge ruled, although the state is fighting that ruling.

by Jay Waagmeester and Florida Phoenix September 4, 2025September 10, 2025

Protesters hold up colorful signs, one reading 'BUG OFF ICE!' in yellow and black, and another reading 'DEFEND BIG CYPRESS' in red, black, and green, during an outdoor demonstration.

Florida plans to resume bringing immigrants to Everglades facility

TALLAHASSEE — Florida plans to resume taking in immigrants at a controversial detention center in the Everglades if an appeals court pauses a judge’s order that required winding down operations at the facility, a new court filing says.

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida September 4, 2025September 5, 2025

DeSantis administration seeks to put ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ injunction on hold

The state’s attorneys argued that the National Environmental Policy Act does not apply to the facility.

by News Service of Florida and Jim Saunders August 27, 2025September 1, 2025

Recently-converted Democrat David Jolly among those coming to Tampa town hall on immigration

The candidate for governor is at the Cuban Club on Tuesday.

by Ray Roa August 18, 2025September 1, 2025

Federal judge: DeSantis administration needs to prove ‘who’s running the show’ at ‘Alligator Alcatraz’

An attorney for the DeSantis administration appeared to balk at the order.

by Dara Kam and News Service of Florida July 28, 2025August 7, 2025

Immigration, News & Views

Florida sees surge in ICE arrests of immigrants without criminal convictions or charges

by Jackie Llanos and Florida Phoenix July 24, 2025

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd tells DeSantis that immigration arrests have ‘overwhelmed’ the system

The capacity issue is expected to escalate in Florida in the coming weeks as sheriffs and police chiefs ramp up arrests and detention of undocumented immigrants.

by Dara Kam and News Service of Florida July 23, 2025August 7, 2025

Immigrants held at Florida Everglades’ detention center are suing the Trump and DeSantis administrations

This class action from the detainees and their attorneys adds to the mounting legal opposition to the detention center, where people started arriving two weeks ago after a speedy eight-day construction at an old airstrip.

by Jackie Llanos and Florida Phoenix July 18, 2025August 7, 2025

Florida Republican introduces immigration legislation that would protect Dreamers

Certain others would get legal status under the ‘Dignity Act.’

by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix July 17, 2025July 28, 2025

US Supreme Court won’t allow Florida to enforce its controversial immigration law

But litigation continues in the case that led to a federal judge finding the state’s top legal officer in contempt of court.

by Jackie Llanos and Florida Phoenix July 10, 2025July 21, 2025

Feds intervene in argument that Florida should be allowed to enforce controversial immigration law

The law passed during a special session earlier this year to align the state with Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration.

by Jackie Llanos and Florida Phoenix July 9, 2025August 22, 2025

Florida, once again, feels like the center of the world when it comes to how inhumanely people can treat each other

Make America good again

by Ray Roa July 2, 2025August 3, 2025

The Home Depot ICE raid in St. Pete didn’t happen. Why does everyone think it did?

Activists say that there’s a better way to share information about immigration enforcement activity.

by Valerie Smith July 1, 2025July 31, 2025

Florida Attorney General asks US Supreme Court to let state enforce blocked immigration law

The new law targets undocumented immigrants who enter the state.

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida June 24, 2025July 1, 2025

New Florida law targeting undocumented immigrants remains blocked by federal court

Attorney General James Uthmeier argued that enforcement should at least temporarily be allowed.

by Jim Saunders and News Service of Florida June 9, 2025June 11, 2025

Photos: Activists hold vigil outside Miami’s Krome ICE detention center, which is accused overcrowding

by Ray Roa and Dave Decker May 31, 2025