Sheriff Calls for Stronger Federal-Local Collaboration to Tackle Illegal Immigration and Crime

A Call to Action for Federal Immigration Authorities

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd has urged federal immigration authorities to remove the "shackles" that hinder local law enforcement from collaborating effectively to combat crime committed by illegal immigrants. Speaking to Fox News Digital, Sheriff Judd emphasized the critical role local law enforcement agencies could play in supporting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Enforcement and Removal Operations. He argued that local departments could be the "biggest assets" for federal agencies in fulfilling President Donald Trump’s promise to deport illegal immigrants. However, Judd stressed that this partnership requires infrastructure and open communication systems to house and process migrants effectively.

The Need for Federal Infrastructure and Cooperation

Sheriff Judd highlighted the lack of federal infrastructure to detain and process illegal immigrants, which limits the ability of local law enforcement to assist ICE. He noted that there are approximately 1.4 million individuals with active federal warrants or removal orders, but local agencies often cannot act on this information due to insufficient federal support. "There’s got to be an infrastructure at the federal level to house these folks because we can scoop them up in large quantities," Judd explained. He also criticized the Biden administration for reducing cooperation with local law enforcement, which has led to an increase in crimes committed by illegal immigrants.

Bridging the Information Gap Between Local and Federal Agencies

One of the key challenges identified by Sheriff Judd is the lack of information sharing between federal authorities and local law enforcement. He pointed out that individuals with active deportation orders are not listed in the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), a database used by law enforcement to access criminal history and warrants. This omission poses a significant risk to officer safety and hinders efforts to identify and detain illegal immigrants with active deportation orders. Judd emphasized the importance of open communication and data sharing to enable local law enforcement to assist ICE more effectively.

The Impact of Illegal Immigration on Polk County Communities

Sheriff Judd provided examples of how illegal immigration has affected Polk County, particularly in terms of crime. He cited cases of Venezuelan migrants who committed burglaries targeting Asian-American business owners and others involved in large-scale theft across the U.S. Additionally, Judd linked illegal immigration to traffic fatalities caused by unlicensed drivers and the rise in fentanyl-related deaths. He asserted that the Biden administration’s policies have exacerbated these issues by failing to deport criminal illegal aliens, allowing them to remain in the country and continue victimizing communities.

Legislative Efforts to Strengthen Immigration Enforcement in Florida

Despite these challenges, Sheriff Judd expressed optimism about state-level efforts to address illegal immigration. He praised Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and state legislative leaders for working on new legislation to ensure that all local governments in Florida cooperate with federal immigration authorities. Judd highlighted Polk County’s existing memorandum of agreement with ICE, signed in 2019 during Trump’s presidency, which allowed local law enforcement to collaborate with ICE to deport criminal illegal aliens. However, he noted that this cooperation declined under the Biden administration.

A Vision for the Future: Partnership, Infrastructure, and Accountability

Sheriff Judd’s message is clear: the federal government must take bold steps to address illegal immigration by building infrastructure, improving information sharing, and supporting local law enforcement. He called on federal authorities to "take the chain off" local municipalities and empower them to work hand-in-hand with ICE. Judd also shared a vision of the future where Florida leads the way in immigration enforcement, ensuring public safety and upholding the rule of law. By addressing these issues, Judd believes communities like Polk County can achieve even lower crime rates and protect their residents from the dangers posed by illegal immigration.