The State of Florida recently passed a series of immigration laws that require all Florida Sheriffs and Chief Correctional Officers of the State to enter into the 287(g) Task Force Agreement with the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency. Moreover, Florida Law now requires all local communities to cooperate with federal immigration officials with their efforts to enforce the immigration laws of the United States. To comply with the spirit of Florida’s Immigration Laws and to fully cooperate with United States Immigration Officials, Florida municipalities statewide are entering into the 287(g) Task Force Agreement. Currently all the Sheriffs have entered into the task force agreement and many municipalities across the Tampa Bay region are entering into the task force agreement.
This agreement will allow selected and trained New Port Richey Police Officers, and selected Pasco County Sheriff’s Office Deputies, to detain and arrest (subject to Federal proceedings) any criminal illegal aliens or any illegal alien(s) that we come across in our community. The agreement also outlines other powers that trained New Port Richey Police Officers will have as it pertains to illegal immigrants in our community.
The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office is already a part of the 287(g) Task Force Agreement and is setting up a countywide database for all agencies on the consolidated CAD/RMS system to access information on violent criminal aliens in our area or jurisdiction.
This agreement will enhance the New Port Richey Police Department’s ability to assist the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency’s enforcement of Federal law and will ensure that we are complying with Florida’s Immigration Laws.
City Attorney Tim Driscoll has reviewed this agreement and approved it as to form.