Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd emphasizes the crucial role local law enforcement can play in deporting migrants who commit crimes. He believes that local departments can be invaluable assets to federal immigration agencies, particularly ICE and Enforcement and Removal Operations, in fulfilling the goal of deporting illegal immigrants.

Sheriff Judd stresses the need for federal infrastructure to house detained migrants, advocating for the removal of restrictions on local agencies. He points out that a significant number of individuals already have federal warrants or removal orders, and local law enforcement could efficiently apprehend these individuals with the proper support.

Polk County, situated between Orlando and Tampa, entered into an agreement in 2019 to collaborate with ICE. Sheriff Judd notes a decline in deportations under the Biden administration, contrasting it with the Trump era. He commends Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and state legislative leaders for their efforts to create legislation promoting cooperation and infrastructure development to aid federal immigration enforcement.

A key concern raised by Sheriff Judd is the information gap between local law enforcement and federal authorities. He explains that the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database, used by law enforcement to access criminal histories, does not include information about migrants with active deportation orders. This poses an officer safety risk, as officers may be unaware of an individual's immigration status during routine stops.

Sheriff Judd recounts an incident where a migrant apprehended for a violent offense and subsequently released by ICE was later found driving under the influence, highlighting the challenges posed by the lack of communication and coordination between agencies.

Sheriff Judd provides specific instances of how migrant crime has impacted Polk County residents. He cites cases involving burglaries targeting Asian-American businesses, large-scale thefts committed by Venezuelan migrants, and traffic fatalities caused by unlicensed and undocumented drivers. He attributes the county's historically low crime rate to a tough-on-crime stance but believes it could be even lower if not for the influx of criminals enabled by current federal policies.

He emphasizes the need for federal action to address the fentanyl crisis and urges the federal government to increase its efforts and collaborate with local agencies to improve public safety.