Is Sheriff Grady Judd woke now?

Sheriff Grady Judd’s recent comments have certainly sparked a lot of conversation across Polk County this week. The “woke” label is being tossed around because of his remarks during a State Immigration Enforcement Council meeting on Monday, March 16.

Here is the breakdown of what actually happened and why it’s causing such a stir:

The “Path Forward” Comments

Judd, acting as the council chair, argued that immigration enforcement should focus on criminals rather than law-abiding undocumented immigrants who are “doing good” and contributing to the community.

• The Proposal: He suggested that Congress should create a legal “path forward” for those who have no criminal history, work hard, pay fines for their initial illegal entry, and learn English.
• The Reasoning: Judd framed this as a “common sense” approach, noting that law enforcement is currently “overrun” and needs to prioritize the “millions of problem people” (those committing crimes) rather than “scooping up” mothers or long-term residents who aren’t a drain on society.

The Clarification

After headlines suggested he was rebelling against federal and state leadership, Judd held a press conference yesterday (March 17) to “set the record straight”:

• Still Supportive of ICE: He emphasized that he “wholeheartedly supports and endorses ICE” and remains in alignment with the Governor and the President.
• Not “Amnesty”: He explicitly denied using the word “amnesty,” insisting that people should still be held accountable for violating civil federal law through fines and strict requirements.
• The “Subject Matter Expert” Role: He argued that as a sheriff on the ground, his job is to provide honest feedback to Tallahassee, and the feedback is that a “one size fits all” approach to mass deportation isn’t the most effective use of resources.

Local Reaction

The shift is notable because, as recently as last year, Judd was calling for even faster removal of undocumented immigrants regardless of criminal record. While some immigrant advocacy groups have reacted positively to his “common sense” pivot, critics on the right are the ones using the “woke” label, seeing any talk of a “pathway” as a softening of his previous hardline stance.

It’s a rare moment where Judd is finding himself at odds with the rhetoric of some of Florida’s top Republican leaders, even while he insists they are still on the same team.