Orange County leaders discuss blocking new Orlando ICE facility

Orange County leaders are meeting Tuesday morning to discuss whether they can block a new ICE facility from opening in Orlando.Commissioners are exploring options to address the surge in immigration arrests and the strain on local resources.The commissioners are meeting to consider using a warehouse in East Orange County as a possible new detention facility.Although the facility is within city limits, Orlando officials have stated they have limited power to prevent its establishment, prompting the county to explore its options.Tuesday morning, the commissioners will discuss one of those ideas, including a moratorium or temporary ban on non-municipal detention facilities. Commissioners will also be looking at the idea of suing the federal government over immigration detainees at the jail. The number of detainees quadrupled in January, with many having no local charges. Officials say it is straining jail staffing.Mayor Jerry Demings said the federal government is underpaying the county for holding them by about $90 per day per inmate.He sent a letter to ICE last week, saying they would be capping the number of immigration detainees they hold with no local charges at 66 men and 64 women.

ORLANDO, Fla. —

Orange County leaders are meeting Tuesday morning to discuss whether they can block a new ICE facility from opening in Orlando.

Commissioners are exploring options to address the surge in immigration arrests and the strain on local resources.

The commissioners are meeting to consider using a warehouse in East Orange County as a possible new detention facility.

Although the facility is within city limits, Orlando officials have stated they have limited power to prevent its establishment, prompting the county to explore its options.

Tuesday morning, the commissioners will discuss one of those ideas, including a moratorium or temporary ban on non-municipal detention facilities.

Commissioners will also be looking at the idea of suing the federal government over immigration detainees at the jail.

The number of detainees quadrupled in January, with many having no local charges. Officials say it is straining jail staffing.

Mayor Jerry Demings said the federal government is underpaying the county for holding them by about $90 per day per inmate.

He sent a letter to ICE last week, saying they would be capping the number of immigration detainees they hold with no local charges at 66 men and 64 women.