In a notable shift within Florida’s political landscape, the We Are Florida Coalition—a group representing over 50 advocacy, faith, and community organizations—has officially backed a recent call by several prominent Florida Sheriffs for a more “nuanced” approach to immigration enforcement.
While these groups are often on opposite sides of the aisle, this alignment comes after members of the State Immigration Enforcement Council suggested that federal policy should prioritize the deportation of criminals rather than non-criminal families.
Key Developments in the Reform Call
The momentum for this discussion began during a mid-March 2026 meeting of the State Immigration Enforcement Council, chaired by Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.
- Sheriffs’ Stance: Sheriffs Grady Judd (Polk), Bob Gualtieri (Pinellas), and Bill Prummell (Charlotte) argued that while they support federal law, there should be a “path forward” for undocumented immigrants who have lived in the U.S. for years, have no criminal records, and contribute to their communities.
- The Advocacy Response: In a letter published this week, the We Are Florida Coalition (led by the Florida Immigrant Coalition) commended the Sheriffs for recognizing the “human dignity” of undocumented residents and the practical limitations of mass deportation.
- Political Pushback: Governor Ron DeSantis and Attorney General James Uthmeier have criticized the Sheriffs’ comments, calling the idea of a “softer” enforcement policy “incoherent” and inconsistent with current state and federal goals.
Opposition to 287(g) Agreements
Despite finding common ground on reform, the advocacy group remains staunchly opposed to the expansion of 287(g) agreements. These federal-local partnerships allow local police to act as immigration agents.
| Argument Against 287(g) | Description |
| Public Safety | Advocacy groups argue that when police act as ICE agents, immigrant victims and witnesses of crimes are too afraid to contact law enforcement. |
| Legal Risk | The coalition warns that these deals expose local governments to lawsuits regarding racial profiling and civil rights violations. |
| Resource Diversion | Advocates claim these agreements divert limited local tax dollars and personnel away from solving local crimes. |
The “Broken System” Consensus
The rare agreement between law enforcement and advocates centers on the belief that the current immigration system is “broken.” While the Sheriffs are drafting a letter to federal leaders—including President Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson—seeking clearer enforcement guidelines, advocacy groups are pushing for those guidelines to include permanent legal status for long-term residents.