Share and Follow
ORLANDO, Fla. – On Friday, officials from Orange County acknowledged they are addressing concerns about the state of the Orange County Jail. The facility is grappling with the challenges posed by a significant number of inmates who have immigration detainers, putting a strain on the corrections staff.
Immigrants’ rights advocates gathered outside the jail on Friday to protest the tactics employed by federal immigration agents. The rally underscored the mounting tensions surrounding the enforcement measures taken by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Ericka Gomez-Tejeda of the Hope CommUnity Center voiced the frustrations of many, stating, “This jail has now become the embodiment of all that Americans hate about ICE.” Her remarks reflect a growing discontent with how immigration enforcement is being handled at the local level.
According to a spokesperson from the county corrections department, the jail housed 373 inmates with ICE detainers as of Friday morning. Among them, 195 inmates faced both ICE holds and local charges, while 178 were held solely on ICE detainers, without any local charges.
In the backdrop of these developments, county officials claim that the federal government owes Orange County hundreds of thousands of dollars for housing inmates under ICE custody, a situation adding another layer of complexity to an already strained system.
“Immigration belongs in civil courts, not in our jails,” Gomez-Tejeda said.
Gomez-Tejeda and other advocates raised concerns about how inmate detainees may be treated inside the facility. Earlier this week, several speakers used the public comment portion of Orange County Commission’s regularly scheduled meeting to discuss the alleged conditions.
“Reports of the inadequate water, moldy food, stripped dignity: These are warning signs,” Bishop William Cavins said at the meeting on Tuesday.
Others argued that the detention of immigrants in and of itself is troubling.
“I’m here today because what is happening inside the Orange County Jail is unlawful, unconstitutional, and deeply harmful to our community,” Josephine Arroyo said at the meeting on Tuesday.
Arroyo owns the Arroyo Law Firm alongside Phillip Arroyo and represents clients who have immigration holds inside the jail.
She cited her firm’s filing of a petition for a writ of habeas corpus against the Orange County Jail and the federal government. A federal judge granted that petition last week, thus releasing one of the firm’s clients from the jail after he was detained solely on an immigration hold.
Since then, a federal judge has granted habeas relief for two more of the Arroyo Law Firm’s clients, ruling that the two individuals were unlawfully detained.
News 6 asked Orange County spokespeople about the rally Friday, and specifically about Gomez-Tejeda’s argument that the jail has become the “embodiment” of opposition to ICE.
“We are aware that the Orange County Jail has become the regional holding facility for ICE,” a spokesperson responded.
[WATCH: What we know about Orange County building ICE toured as potential detainment center]
News 6 confirmed earlier this month that ICE is exploring at least one other option to house immigrant detainees, after we spotted representatives of ICE scouting a warehouse on Transport Drive.
Republican Congressman Byron Donalds, who is running for governor of Florida, visited the warehouse this week to show his support for the idea.
“Florida will always back the blue and uphold law and order,” Donalds said in a video posted to X.
Copyright 2026 by WKMG ClickOrlando – All rights reserved.