Rising ICE activity in Central Florida has led to a debate between Democratic and Republican lawmakers over immigration enforcement. Florida Democratic Congressman Maxwell Frost emphasized the ongoing relevance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy.”Because Dr. King’s legacy is not just a chapter in a history book, it’s unfinished business,” he said.He questioned the current state of safety and order, asking, “Do you feel safer now than you did two years ago? Do you feel like there’s less chaos in our communities now than two years ago?”Last week, 377 inmates were booked in the Orange County Jail with immigration holds, a significant increase from 71 the previous week. Republican Rep. Randy Fine expressed his stance. “We’re going to continue working hard to make Florida the least hospitable place in the United States for illegal immigrants. My advice to every illegal immigrant in Florida, go home,” Fine said.He added, “There shouldn’t be rising tensions. This is a fight against foreign invaders. What we’ve seen happen in Minneapolis would never be allowed to happen in Florida. You would go to jail instantly. We stand with the United States, and we stand with ICE.”Sen. Rick Scott shared his views on social media. “We like legal immigration in FL, what we don’t want is we don’t want criminals… support our ICE agents and support their families as they work to ensure our country’s safe again,” Scott said.Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, a former law enforcement officer, highlighted the importance of humane enforcement.”It is important that when we do enforcement of our immigration laws, it can be done with dignity and respect and in a humane way,” Demings said. “That is what we are all fighting for, to make certain that people are treated fairly and with justice. That’s the America that we live in.”The Orange County Jail is expected to provide updated numbers on immigration holds following the federal holiday.

Rising ICE activity in Central Florida has led to a debate between Democratic and Republican lawmakers over immigration enforcement.

Florida Democratic Congressman Maxwell Frost emphasized the ongoing relevance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy.

“Because Dr. King’s legacy is not just a chapter in a history book, it’s unfinished business,” he said.

He questioned the current state of safety and order, asking, “Do you feel safer now than you did two years ago? Do you feel like there’s less chaos in our communities now than two years ago?”

Last week, 377 inmates were booked in the Orange County Jail with immigration holds, a significant increase from 71 the previous week.

Republican Rep. Randy Fine expressed his stance.

“We’re going to continue working hard to make Florida the least hospitable place in the United States for illegal immigrants. My advice to every illegal immigrant in Florida, go home,” Fine said.

He added, “There shouldn’t be rising tensions. This is a fight against foreign invaders. What we’ve seen happen in Minneapolis would never be allowed to happen in Florida. You would go to jail instantly. We stand with the United States, and we stand with ICE.”

Sen. Rick Scott shared his views on social media.

“We like legal immigration in FL, what we don’t want is we don’t want criminals… support our ICE agents and support their families as they work to ensure our country’s safe again,” Scott said.

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When you look around our state, there are so many examples of legal immigrants who want to live the American dream and contribute to their communities.

But Biden’s open border wrecked the system, allowing criminals and gangs to come into our country illegally and threaten our… pic.twitter.com/55V5HKE8lH

— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) January 19, 2026

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, a former law enforcement officer, highlighted the importance of humane enforcement.

“It is important that when we do enforcement of our immigration laws, it can be done with dignity and respect and in a humane way,” Demings said. “That is what we are all fighting for, to make certain that people are treated fairly and with justice. That’s the America that we live in.”

The Orange County Jail is expected to provide updated numbers on immigration holds following the federal holiday.