Florida Is Now Encouraging Cops to Turn in Bosses Who Don't Comply With Trump's Immigration Crackdown

Florida officials have launched an initiative encouraging law enforcement officers to report their superiors if they believe they are failing to comply with state immigration policies. The move is part of a broader effort to ensure local agencies align with federal immigration directives under former President Donald Trump's crackdown.

Larry Keefe, Florida's immigration czar, announced the creation of the "Law Enforcement Accountability Dashboard" (LEAD), a platform that allows officers, law enforcement employees, and the public to report noncompliance with state immigration laws.

"This reporting system will provide a direct channel for officers and employees to report any failure by their agency to comply with Florida's immigration enforcement policies," Keefe's said in a statement reported by The Tampa Bay Times. "Let there be no misunderstanding—Florida law will be enforced."

The dashboard, managed by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), allows the filing of anonymous complaints and provides an option to upload supporting documentation. Florida Statute 908 mandates full cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, and officials who fail to comply may face penalties, legal action, or removal from office by the governor.

Governor Ron DeSantis has emphasized the necessity of law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Under his administration, all 67 Florida sheriffs have entered agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) through the 287(g) program, allowing local officers to enforce federal immigration laws.

However, some sheriffs have expressed reservations about expanding their role in immigration enforcement. Broward County Sheriff Gregory Tony and Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said in early March that they will continue cooperating with ICE but will not allocate additional personnel to the effort.

"Is the sheriff now diving in and saying I'm going to make 150 task force officers to work with ICE? The answer is: absolutely not. I didn't sign up to be ICE," Tony said.

Bradshaw, also reassured local communities at the time that the new policies should not instill fear among law-abiding immigrants:

"If you're not a bad guy, you haven't committed a crime or you're not one of the people that's here illegally that's a convicted murderer, there's no problem"

Miami-Dade Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz similarly emphasized that her office prioritizes public safety, not targeting undocumented individuals. "If you are a criminal in this county who is actively committing crimes, you will be arrested," she stated.

DeSantis has warned that noncompliance could lead to suspension or removal from office. "I have authority, if you don't live up to your responsibilities to assist, you could be suspended and removed from office," he said.