Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, who often speaks about the dangers of unchecked immigration, has been appointed to the newly formed State Immigration Enforcement Council.
Florida Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, announced Monday that he had named both Judd and Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri to the panel. The Florida Legislature created the council as part of a packet of immigration measures adopted in last week’s special session.
Gov. Ron DeSantis promptly signed the bill into law.
The council board, part of the new State Board of Immigration Enforcement, will include eight members from law enforcement. The governor, attorney general, chief financial officer and commissioner of agriculture each appoint one police chief, and the Senate president and House speaker each appoint two sheriffs.
Albritton’s district includes southern Polk County. House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, appointed Duval County Sheriff T.K. Waters and Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell.
The members will serve four-year terms. The state board will choose a sheriff from the council’s members to serve as chair.
“Florida is so far ahead of other states,” Judd said in a news release. “From the Governor to the Legislature to state and local law enforcement, we are all working together to vigorously enforce the laws. I appreciate that under President Trump the federal government will be meeting their responsibilities head on.”
Judd added: “The State Immigration Enforcement Council will serve as a voice for local law enforcement and help make certain we are ready to assist the Trump Administration with the most significant crackdown on illegal immigration in the nation. President Albritton has been a friend for decades, and I appreciate the trust he is placing in me to serve in this role.”
The legislation passed last week says the council will assist the state board “by providing insight and feedback regarding the enforcement of federal immigration law.”
The council has the authority to request guidance from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on training and strategy to encourage participation in the federal 287(g) program, under which ICE delegates immigration enforcement tasks to state and local law enforcement.
The council will offer recommendations on such matters as financial resources needed to aid local law enforcement, enhancing information sharing among agencies and increasing the number of available detention beds for use by the ICE.
“Sheriff Gualtieri and Sheriff Judd are two of the most experienced and well-respected law enforcement officers in the country,” Albritton said in the news release. “Their wisdom and experience are highly valued, and I am honored they have agreed to represent the Senate on the State Immigration Enforcement Council. They have been with us every step of the way providing insight and counsel from the perspective of the brave men and women who are on the front lines protecting our communities.”