Florida's immigration crackdown is paying dividends for local law enforcement.
While Tim Walz surrenders Minnesota to chaos, Florida shows what happens when states back their cops.
And Florida’s CFO just handed local cops over $1.7 million after they did what Minnesota refuses to do.
Florida Rewards Sheriffs for Hunting Down Criminal Aliens
Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia made it rain Thursday at a Winter Haven press conference packed with sheriffs who actually enforce immigration law.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd walked away with a check for more than $1 million while four other agencies split the rest.
The money comes from the State Board of Immigration Enforcement, which reimburses departments for arresting and transporting criminal illegal aliens under the federal 287(g) program.
Ingoglia didn't mince words about why Florida leads the nation in immigration enforcement.
"If you're an illegal immigrant, self-deport," he warned at the press conference.
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"Because you don't want these guys catching you."
The funding breakdown shows exactly who's doing the heavy lifting: Polk County Sheriff's Office grabbed $1,006,985, Hernando County got $321,112, Sarasota County received $283,389, Hardee County took $135,560, and Port Richey Police Department collected $32,850.
That's real money going to cops who risk their lives removing dangerous criminals the Biden administration welcomed with open arms.
Sheriff Judd explained why the funding matters for his deputies.
"As our deputies work to arrest and transport criminal illegal aliens, they must have the tools to do their job safely and effectively," Judd said.
Florida created this system after Biden turned the southern border into a highway for criminals, gang members, and worse.
Tim Walz and Minneapolis Show Why Florida Model Matters
Ingoglia directly contrasted Florida's approach with the disaster unfolding in Minnesota.
He called out the recent ICE shooting incident where a woman was killed during federal immigration operations in Minneapolis.
"Both of those guys need to be out of office, and out of office quickly," Ingoglia said about Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey.
"The people of Minnesota and the people of Minneapolis deserve better than to have those two buffoons leading that state and that city."
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The Minnesota chaos proves Florida got it right.
Walz mobilized the National Guard against federal immigration agents and encouraged residents to film ICE operations instead of supporting law enforcement.
Minneapolis devolved into street battles between protesters and federal agents while Walz complained about Trump's "occupation" of his state.
Meanwhile in Florida, sheriffs work hand-in-hand with ICE through the 287(g) program to identify and deport criminal aliens before they commit more crimes.
Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco explained the Florida advantage.
"Florida has led the nation in immigration enforcement, and it has led to safer communities," Nocco said.
The results speak for themselves — Florida's Operation Tidal Wave arrested more than 10,000 criminal aliens since April 2025 through state-federal cooperation.
Minnesota got violence and chaos because Walz treats ICE agents like invaders instead of partners.
Florida's 287(g) Program Creates Blueprint for Nation
The 287(g) program allows state and local police to perform immigration enforcement duties under ICE supervision.
Florida exploded from having a handful of agreements to leading the nation with 325 partnerships — a 577% increase since Trump took office.
That includes the Florida Highway Patrol, state police, Fish and Wildlife officers, and even the State Guard.
Hernando County Sheriff Al Nienhuis explained how it protects residents.
"The ability to aid ICE with immigration efforts means that we can now take a proactive approach to removing criminal illegal aliens from our communities before they have the opportunity to inflict harm on our residents," Nienhuis said.
Trump designated MS-13, Tren de Aragua, and major drug cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations, giving Florida cops more tools to go after gang members.
The funding Ingoglia distributed Thursday reimburses departments for bonuses paid to officers trained under 287(g), plus transportation and processing costs.
Port Richey Police Chief Frank Ruggiero said the money is an investment in safety.
"This money is not only an investment in our officers, but it is also an investment in our community's safety," Ruggiero stated.
Florida taxpayers don't foot the bill — federal funds cover the reimbursements through the State Board of Immigration Enforcement.
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Governor Ron DeSantis, Attorney General James Uthmeier, Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, and CFO Ingoglia sit on that board.
The system works because Florida state law bans sanctuary cities and mandates cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
Compare that to Minnesota, where Walz mobilizes against ICE instead of helping them remove criminals who shouldn't be here.
Sheriff Judd summed up Florida's approach perfectly.
"The message is clear, as you see law enforcement officers abused and neglected across this nation, that doesn't happen in the state of Florida," Judd said.
Trump's first administration created the 287(g) framework in 1996 but never saw participation like this.
Florida proved what happens when a state decides to be a force multiplier for immigration enforcement instead of an obstacle.
The $1.7 million in checks handed out Thursday represents just one round of reimbursements for agencies protecting Floridians from criminal aliens.
More funding will flow as long as Florida sheriffs keep doing what Minnesota refuses to do — enforce immigration law and protect American citizens.
Sources:
- Frank Kopylov, "Florida CFO Ingoglia awards over $1 million to Tampa Bay area law enforcement for immigration enforcement efforts," Florida News, January 15, 2026.
- "Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia Awards Over $1.7 Million to Assist with Immigration Enforcement for Local Law Enforcement Agencies," Florida Department of Financial Services, January 15, 2026.
- Drew Dixon, "Blaise Ingoglia announces reimbursement of 5 local law enforcement agencies for immigration enforcement," Florida Politics, January 15, 2026.
- "ICE awards Florida's state and local law enforcement with 287(g) funds to defend the homeland," U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, September 26, 2025.
- "Largest joint immigration operation in Florida history leads to 1,120 criminal alien arrests during weeklong operation," U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, June 13, 2025.
