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T.K. Waters, the Jacksonville sheriff and member of Florida’s anti-illegal immigration council, is pushing back against GOP law enforcement officials who are resisting President Donald Trump’s mass deportation agenda. Waters reaffirmed his support for deporting undocumented immigrants, even those who have not committed additional crimes, in contrast to other sheriffs and police chiefs on the council who criticized the wide net being cast.
Why it matters
This highlights a growing divide within the Republican party in Florida over immigration enforcement, with some law enforcement officials pushing back against the hardline stance championed by the state’s GOP leadership and the Trump administration. It also reflects the Trump administration’s shift toward focusing deportations on violent offenders rather than all undocumented immigrants.
The details
At a meeting of the Florida Immigration Enforcement Council, at least six Republican sheriffs and police chiefs criticized deporting undocumented immigrants who had not committed crimes, with some suggesting civil fines, mandatory schooling for their children, and English lessons as alternatives. However, Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters, a top ally of the governor, doubled down on his support for mass deportations, stating that his agency has processed over 1,200 undocumented immigrants for removal proceedings in the past two years, all of whom committed crimes.
The Florida Immigration Enforcement Council meeting took place on Monday, March 16, 2026.The 287(g) program was established in Duval County, where Jacksonville is located, in 2008.
The players
T.K. Waters
The Jacksonville sheriff and member of Florida’s anti-illegal immigration council who is supporting the Trump administration’s mass deportation agenda.
Grady Judd
The Polk County sheriff who was critical of deporting undocumented immigrants who had not committed crimes and brainstormed drafting a letter to Trump and congressional leaders.
Bob Gualtieri
The Pinellas County sheriff who was also critical of deporting undocumented immigrants who had not committed crimes and brainstormed drafting a letter to Trump and congressional leaders.
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What they’re saying
“I was not on the call referenced and do not share or endorse the comments made by others. Our focus remains on enforcing the law and continuing our mission to make Jacksonville a safer place for all residents.”
— T.K. Waters, Jacksonville Sheriff (Florida Phoenix)
“As sheriff, I want to reaffirm that our agency has and always will work hand-in-hand with our state and federal partners to uphold the laws and priorities established by our elected leaders.”
— T.K. Waters, Jacksonville Sheriff (Florida Phoenix)
What’s next
The Florida Immigration Enforcement Council members who were critical of mass deportations plan to draft a letter to President Trump, the U.S. House Speaker, and the Senate majority leader asking that they restrict the undocumented immigrants targeted for deportation.
The takeaway
This divide within the Republican party in Florida over immigration enforcement highlights the tensions between hardline stances championed by state GOP leaders and the Trump administration, and more moderate approaches favored by some law enforcement officials who are concerned about the impacts of mass deportations on their communities.