Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday announced a supplemental Memorandum of Agreement between Florida law enforcement agencies and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), expanding state authority to enforce federal immigration laws under the 287(g) program.

The agreement authorizes the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and the Florida State Guard to conduct immigration enforcement duties under ICE supervision. It further allows state officers to interrogate individuals suspected of violating immigration laws, arrest and detain those attempting unlawful entry into the United States, execute warrants related to immigration violations, and assist in processing individuals for deportation.

Officers will receive specialized training from ICE and will operate under its oversight when executing these functions. The Florida Highway Patrol and the Florida Department of Agricultural Law Enforcement have already signed similar agreements with ICE.

DeSantis said the expansion strengthens Florida’s role in addressing illegal immigration and enhances cooperation with federal authorities.

“Florida is setting the example for states in combating illegal immigration and working with the Trump Administration to restore the rule of law,” said DeSantis. “By allowing our state agents and law enforcement officers to be trained and approved by ICE, Florida will now have more enforcement personnel deputized to assist federal partners. That means deportations can be carried out more efficiently, making our communities safer as illegal aliens are removed.”

The agreement also grants state officers the authority to serve and execute federal immigration warrants, enforce felony arrests under federal immigration statutes, and transport detained individuals to ICE-approved detention centers to prevent releases due to capacity constraints. By identifying and processing individuals eligible for removal in advance, officers can streamline deportation procedures through fingerprinting, photographing, and sworn statements, ensuring a more efficient handover to ICE custody.

ICE’s 287(g) program allows state and local law enforcement to assist in federal immigration enforcement, delegating specific authorities under federal oversight. The agreements require officers to undergo ICE training and adhere to federal guidelines when executing immigration functions.

The announcement builds upon a formal agreement with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to expand the state’s role in enforcing federal immigration laws. Under the DHS agreement, designated FHP officers will receive federal training to conduct immigration enforcement duties typically reserved for ICE agents. The agreement permits troopers to question individuals about their immigration status, serve arrest warrants for federal immigration offenses, and process noncitizens for removal proceedings.

The governor framed the move as a “necessary step” to address what he described as the federal government’s failure to secure the U.S.-Mexico border. He also claimed that Florida has been disproportionately affected by unauthorized migration and criticized the Biden administration’s handling of border security.