TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A bill signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday will appropriate $298.8 million for immigration enforcement.
The law, SB-2C, creates a State Board of Immigration Enforcement which will get most of the money – approximately $250.7 million. The board is comprised of the governor, agriculture commissioner, attorney general, and chief financial officer. The bill includes funding for five administrative positions including an executive director.
[RELATED: What’s in Florida’s 3 strict new illegal immigration laws]
That board will be tasked with administering the “Local Law Enforcement Immigration Grant Program” which will allow local sheriffs, police, and corrections facilities to seek reimbursement for assisting federal agencies like U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement.
The $250 million in grant funds could help cover the cost of subletting detention beds to ICE, training programs, travel expenses, and equipment purchased by local agencies to enforce federal immigration laws.
The grant money could also be used to provide $1,000 “bonus payments” to local officers who participate in U.S. Department of Homeland Security task force operations.
Grant applications will have to be unanimously approved by the State Board of Immigration Enforcement on a first-come, first-served basis. The board will be responsible for establishing application procedures and eligibility requirements.
The bill appropriates an additional $48.1 million to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to construct and renovate unspecified facilities for immigration enforcement, purchase motor vehicles and boats, and hire 84 full-time positions including 78 law enforcement officers.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily:
