Northeast Florida sheriffs awarded $1.8 million for immigration enforcement

Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia made his way to St. Johns County Tuesday with money to go around for five local agencies.

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — The Jacksonville, St. Johns, Clay, Bradford and Putnam County sheriff’s offices received funds Tuesday that are going towards equipment necessary to help enforce immigration laws.

Florida’s Chief Financial Officer, Blaise Ingoglia, made his way to St. Johns County Tuesday with money to go around.

“Today I am here and I’m proud to award over 1.8 million dollars to support our sheriff’s offices in their efforts to assist ICE with illegal immigration enforcement,” Ingoglia said.

The funds are from the state board of immigration enforcement and are reimbursements for the 287(g) program – an effort that’s a partnership with ICE and local law enforcement.

“Every sheriff up here can attest that the cost of illegal immigration is far too high,” Ingoglia said.

The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office received $1 million, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office received $606,000, Putnam received $108,000, Jacksonville $94,000, and Bradford $25,000.

St. Johns County Sheriff Robert Hardwick said the money will go towards increased technology and bonuses to staff.

“The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office in the very near future will have 104 designated immigration officers,” Hardwick said. “I think we set the tone that we’re going to do it better than everybody else across the United States of America.”

Meanwhile, Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters said JSO processed 545 people living in the U.S. illegally for deportation this year alone through the 287(g) program.

“In Jacksonville, our mission has always been simple: To keep our communities safe,” Waters said.

Clay County received the second highest amount of funding Tuesday. Sheriff Michelle Cook said the money will be key in helping with the statewide effort.

“I stand before you to say Florida has discovered the recipe for law-and-order success,” Cook said.

First Coast News asked Ingoglia when this reimbursement was decided. He said, “On day one.”