In late March, a Florida Fish and Wildlife officer approached a Guatemalan couple as they walked their dog in Bonita Springs, an affluent Gulf Coast community. The officer requested the husband’s ID and told them to leave the park, as recounted by the wife. Upon reaching the parking lot, the officer arrested the husband on what she called a false charge. She preferred to remain anonymous to protect herself and her husband’s pending asylum cases.
She claimed the officer accused the dog of biting him, although he never exited his vehicle. The officer made calls, arrested the husband, and waited 40 minutes for ICE agents to take him away. This scenario unfolds amid President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement efforts, which have faced resistance in Democratic-led sanctuary cities. Yet, in Republican-controlled Florida, over 347 state and local agencies participate in Trump’s crackdown.
This includes conventional agencies like police departments and unconventional ones like the state Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Florida has witnessed a notable increase in immigration arrests during Trump’s second term, partly due to state and local agencies denying access to arrest records at the Department of Homeland Security’s directive.
Increase in Immigration Arrests
Between January 20, 2025, and March 11, 2026, nearly 39,000 immigrants were detained in Florida. This period marked Trump’s second term, and these numbers represented a steep rise from 11,088 arrests during a similar timeframe in the Biden administration. On average, Florida logged 93 arrests per day, second only to Texas with 239.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has been advocating for Florida’s role in Trump’s immigration efforts. Through 287(g) agreements, state and local law enforcement have been empowered with immigration enforcement capabilities to question and detain immigrants. This arrangement pressures officers to produce substantial arrest figures to satisfy expectations, observes immigration attorney Vilerka Bilbao. Officers frequently conduct traffic stops for minor reasons, resulting in individuals ending up in ICE custody.
Case of a Father and Son
In February, Lee County deputies detained a 44-year-old Guatemalan man and his son in Fort Myers, citing an expired license plate, which was still valid. The wife and mother shared that her husband and son were deported to Guatemala a week later. Both had pending immigration cases, but her husband had missed a court hearing due to financial constraints. The son had a driver’s license and work permit, seeking asylum.
The Department of Homeland Security claimed they were illegally in the U.S. since 2017 and subject to removal orders. In the dog walking case, the husband faced two removal orders. Both incidents highlighted Florida agencies’ refusal to share arrest reports and footage, citing ICE’s control.
Florida’s Sunshine Law Tested
The refusal appears to contravene Florida’s Sunshine Law, enacted in 1967, which assumes public record unless exempt. However, recent legislative carve-outs have created exceptions.
While Florida stands out in enforcement cooperation, detention center openings support heightened crackdown efforts. The 287(g) program has rapidly expanded, growing from 135 agreements in 20 states prior to Trump’s second term to over 1,700 agreements in 41 states and territories. DHS offers financial incentives for agencies, including officer salary reimbursement, equipment, and vehicle funds.