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<\/a><\/p>\nThe Polk County Sheriff\u2019s Office has reported\u00a0more immigration-related encounters\u00a0than any other local law enforcement agency in Florida. That\u2019s according to the state board of immigration enforcement<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Polk County Sheriff\u2019s office polices around 850,000 people, and its goal is to keep everyone safe.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re not out here going to job sites, going to businesses, going to agriculture fields. We\u2019re just bumping into people as we do our normal daily business,\u201d Sheriff Grady Judd said about the office\u2019s immigration enforcement.<\/p>\n Since August, the Polk County Sheriff\u2019s Office has had more than 400 immigration encounters, second in line after the Florida Highway Patrol. That\u2019s according to the state board of immigration enforcement.<\/p>\n The board was created in February by Gov. Ron DeSantis to help deport people without legal status. The board recently experienced a change in leadership.<\/p>\n Larry Keefe is no longer the executive director of the State Board of Immigration Enforcement. Keefe held this position since February of this year, and it is not clear where he will head next.<\/p>\n \u201cLarry has done a number of things in our administration over the years, and he has performed at a very high level with honor and integrity, and we really thank him for his service,\u201d DeSantis sai during Tuesday\u2019s cabinet meeting over the phone.<\/p>\n DeSantis appointed Anthony Coker as the next executive director. He was the liaison to the state of Florida for Immigration and Customs Enforcement<\/a>.<\/p>\n Florida Democrats call on lawmakers to fund local food banks amid government shutdown<\/p>\n Florida Democrats are urging Gov. Ron DeSantis to declare a state of emergency amid the ongoing government shutdown.<\/p>\n