👤 Who: Florida CFO Blaise Ingoglia and four Panhandle sheriff’s offices
💰 What: Nearly $1.4 million in funding for immigration enforcement support
📅 When: Announced March 12, 2026
📍 Where: Announcement made in Shalimar, Florida
⚖️ Why: To support partnerships between local law enforcement and ICE under the 287(g) program
Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia announced nearly $1.4 million in funding on Thursday to support immigration enforcement efforts by several law enforcement agencies in Northwest Florida.
The funding will be distributed to four sheriff’s offices in the region. The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, and Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office.
The announcement came during an event in Shalimar, where Ingoglia said the funds will help local agencies assist federal partners with immigration enforcement under agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
“Florida has led the nation in anti-illegal immigration efforts, and we are second to none when it comes to supporting our law enforcement officers,” Ingoglia said. “My office will continue to stand alongside Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis in their mission to deport criminal illegal aliens and keep our communities safe.”
The funding comes through the State Board of Immigration Enforcement, which reimburses law enforcement agencies that participate in immigration enforcement partnerships with federal authorities under the 287(g) program.
Under that program, local and state law enforcement officers can work alongside federal agents to identify, detain, and process individuals suspected of violating immigration laws.
Sheriff Eric Aden said the funding will help deputies carry out those duties.
“This funding strengthens our ability to arrest and detain criminal illegal aliens,” Aden said. “I am grateful for CFO Ingoglia’s continued dedication to protecting our citizens and our deputies.”
Funding announced Thursday will be distributed as follows:
Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office — $103,825
Franklin County Sheriff’s Office — $48,460.48
Escambia County Sheriff’s Office — $963,307.85
Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office — $283,849.73
Sheriffs from the participating agencies praised the funding and said it will help provide equipment and resources for deputies involved in immigration enforcement operations.
AJ Tony Smith said his agency’s partnership with federal immigration officials helps protect the community.
Bob Johnson said the funding will ensure deputies have the resources needed to safely perform their duties.
Meanwhile, Chip W. Simmons said the state’s support will help local agencies address what he described as an ongoing immigration crisis.
Ingoglia serves on the State Board of Immigration Enforcement as part of the Florida Cabinet, alongside Governor DeSantis, Attorney General James Uthmeier, and Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson.
Pro Communi Bono
St. Francis De Sales, Ora Pro Nobis!
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