By MES Dispatch staff
The Briefing
• Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state Cabinet approved about $40 million in reimbursements to local law enforcement agencies for costs tied to immigration enforcement efforts.
• The funding covers equipment, detention capacity and other reimbursable expenses for agencies participating in immigration operations.
• The approval came Tuesday when the Cabinet acted as the State Board of Immigration Enforcement in Tallahassee.
• The amount was reduced from an earlier $53 million plan before the vote.
• Approved expenses include body cameras, license plate readers, surveillance technology and training costs related to immigration enforcement efforts.
TALLAHASSEE, FL — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and members of the state Cabinet on Tuesday approved approximately $40 million in reimbursements to local law enforcement agencies for costs associated with supporting federal immigration enforcement, officials said.
The funding was authorized by the Cabinet acting as the State Board of Immigration Enforcement and will reimburse agencies for equipment purchases, detention capacity and other operational expenses tied to immigration enforcement activities.
The total figure approved was reduced from a previously proposed $53 million plan on the Cabinet’s agenda before the vote, though state officials did not immediately explain the adjustment.
The board approved reimbursements for agencies across multiple counties, including funds for body cameras, license plate readers, surveillance towers, software and training linked to immigration enforcement participation.
Anthony Coker, executive director of the State Board of Immigration Enforcement, said about $14 million will go to new grant awards, with the remaining $26 million allocated to amended requests.
State officials have set aside a broader $250 million pool to reimburse local law enforcement agencies for immigration enforcement costs and have approved tens of millions in prior rounds of funding.