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In an unexpected move, a coalition of county sheriffs from Florida, who serve on a state advisory council, have urged President Trump to reconsider his stringent immigration policies. They advocate for establishing a “path to citizenship” for undocumented immigrants who are gainfully employed and have no criminal records.
This initiative is particularly noteworthy as these sheriffs, all Republicans, were appointed to the State Immigration Enforcement Council by Governor Ron DeSantis, also a Republican. Despite their political affiliations, the council members are drafting a letter to President Trump, seeking a more compassionate approach to immigration reform.
The proposal has already sparked controversy, with Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier openly opposing the council’s stance. Uthmeier asserted, “I do not support the letter. If someone is in this country illegally, they have broken the law.”
Nonetheless, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, who chairs the council, expressed his belief that hardworking immigrants deserve leniency. He emphasized the importance of prioritizing the removal of those who commit crimes or evade immigration laws, while acknowledging those who contribute positively to society.
“Our main focus should be on those breaking the law, those who have manipulated or bypassed the immigration process,” Judd stated. “However, there are individuals here who are diligent workers, raising families, attending church, and participating in the American dream. They contribute positively and deserve recognition for their efforts,” he added.
“But we have allowed, what I call the criminal troublemaker, to just flood in this country and victimize people. And I think a path for the good folks with a good intention, for the right reason, is reasonable,” he added, CBS News noted.
Judd went on to complain that federal immigration operatives are deporting people who “are healthy and can work.”
Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummel, agreed with Judd and ripped Congress for not stepping in to clarify things. “They need to get off their butts and they need to fix it,” he said.
Still, Judd said he is not proposing a “free pass.”
“We’re going to give you five years, and you’ve got to learn to speak English, you’ve got to pay a fine for coming into the country illegally, a civil fine,” he explained. “And you’ve got to not be on the taxpayer dollar, and you’ve got to work, and you’ve got to put your kids in school, and we already know those people who are doing that.”
At least one Florida county sheriff publicly disagreed with Judd and his like-minded councilmembers.
Jacksonville Sheriff TK Waters, who also serves on the council, does not support Sheriff Judd’s letter.
“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,” Waters said, according to WJAX-TV. “I was not on the call referenced and do not share or endorse the comments made by others.”
Ultimately, Sheriff Judd quickly started feeling the heat from a backlash against his soft-on-illegals position.
Only days after news broke of his demands that President Trump soften his immigration policies, Judd had to come out to reiterate his support for the president.
“Any illusion that we’re not supporting the president or the government is absolutely false. We’re providing input. We’re providing feedback,” Judd said defending his letter, WPLG-TV reported.
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