💰 $152,500 ICE grant approved — funds will go toward new police equipment and a transport vehicle.
🛑 No change in enforcement powers — officials stress the city’s policing model remains the same.
🗣️ Community divided — residents split over immigration partnership and local control.
FORT WALTON BEACH — The Fort Walton Beach City Council voted 6–1 Tuesday night to accept $152,500 in federal grant funds from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to support its participation in the 287(g) immigration enforcement program.
The grant, approved under Resolution 2025-25, provides $100,000 for a police transport vehicle and $52,500 for officer equipment. The city became eligible for the one-time incentive because its police department was “fully operational” under the ICE 287(g) agreement before Sept. 30, according to a memorandum from Police Chief Robert Bage.
The funding requires no local match and does not alter policing powers, officials said.
“This is a one-time grant for agencies active before Oct. 1,” said Maj. Steve Marlow of the Fort Walton Beach Police Department. “It’s not a reimbursement and won’t change how we police the city.”
The 287(g) program, established under section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, permits local law enforcement officers to perform specific federal immigration duties after ICE training and certification.
Two primary models exist:
The first is a Jail Enforcement Model that screens individuals in local jails for immigration status and detainers. The second is the Warrant Service Officer/Task Force Model, which trains local officers to assist ICE in field operations.
As of October 2025, ICE reports more than 150 participating agencies across 26 states, including 13 in Florida. Fort Walton Beach is part of the task force model, which was approved in February 2025, initially training seven officers before expanding to 11.
Marlow told the council that Florida’s Senate Bill 2-C, signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in February, strengthened state immigration enforcement and encouraged cooperation with federal authorities.
City Attorney Jeff Burns explained that the city’s 287(g) agreement was voluntary but placed Fort Walton Beach under federal oversight for immigration-related arrests.
Councilmember David Schmidt confirmed that state law requires cooperation with ICE but noted the grant provides no new authority.
Councilmember Debi Riley asked whether the city retained “local sovereignty,” and Burns said the decision to participate had already been made when the city signed the agreement in February.
Sgt. Patrick Mooney of the Special Investigations Unit told council members that the grant will fund equipment and vehicles only, not enforcement expansion.
“We’re not walking up to people asking if they’re here legally,” he said. “We act only when immigration issues arise in the course of our duties.”
Chief Robert Bage said since joining the program, the department has made one immigration-related arrest — a driver with a fake license who had been deported three times.
“We decide whether to participate in ICE operations,” Bage said. “We’ve made one arrest since February. This is not about changing our policing model.”
Public reaction to the agenda item was divided.
A local pastor said families in her congregation fear deportation.
“They’re taking good people who just work to feed their kids,” she said.
Resident Erin Rosenstock called the partnership “a slippery slope,” while Vivan Perez argued it would erode local control.
“Our police should focus on local safety, not federal mandates,” Perez said.
Supporters, including Sandra Atkinson, said the program could help fight human trafficking.
“It’s a win-win for everybody,” Atkinson said. “It helps our officers and our community.”
Resident Denise DeSoto said she worried about racial profiling. “Families are being torn apart,” she told council members. “People are afraid just because of how they look.”
City Manager Jason Davis clarified that the new vehicle would replace one totaled in a DUI crash, not expand the fleet. Councilmember Bryce Jeter said the grant “will not change how we police our city.”
Mayor Nic Allegretto reminded the audience that the decision was limited to accepting the grant, not debating national immigration policy.
The resolution passed 6–1, with Riley being the lone dissenting vote.
Pro Communi Bono
St. Francis De Sales, Ora Pro Nobis!
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