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FLORIDA - The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles has received $13.6 million in federal funding to strengthen its immigration enforcement operations under the 287(g) Task Force Model.
The funding, provided by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, supports the state’s ongoing partnership with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to identify, process, and detain individuals who allegedly violate federal immigration laws.
The 287(g) program grants Florida Highway Patrol troopers authority to engage in immigration enforcement, including apprehending individuals in the U.S. illegally.
Since March, the Florida Highway Patrol has detained over 4,900 people, including nearly 900 individuals with criminal histories.
Executive Director Dave Kerner stated the funding will expand operational capabilities and allow officers to continue collaborating with federal partners to enforce immigration laws.
Under the Task Force Model, each federally trained officer will receive $7,500 to purchase necessary equipment, and $100,000 per operational agreement is allocated to acquire vehicles for immigration enforcement missions.
The announcement of the funding coincided with Florida’s second statewide immigration enforcement operation, conducted in coordination with county, state, and federal partners.
During the operation, Florida Highway Patrol officers conducted more than 2,000 traffic stops, issued over 1,500 citations, and apprehended 461 individuals allegedly residing in the U.S. illegally.
Among those detained, 45 had prior criminal histories, and the individuals came from 19 countries, including Guatemala, El Salvador, China, and Mexico.
This federal investment is intended to increase the capacity of Florida law enforcement agencies to enforce immigration laws and maintain public safety while continuing coordination with ICE under the 287(g) Task Force Model.