Blaise Ingoglia announces reimbursement of 5 local law enforcement agencies for immigration enforcement

Five Florida local law enforcement agencies were awarded a combined $1.78 million as reimbursement for their work on immigration enforcement, Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia announced.

The funding went to Sheriff’s Offices in Polk, Hernando, Sarasota and Hardee counties, as well as the Port Richey Police Department.

At a news conference in Winter Haven, Ingoglia said the agencies have been enforcing immigration laws and arresting undocumented migrants for years. He said they are costly operations, and it’s appropriate they get reimbursed from federal funds.

“Local law enforcement agencies throughout Florida work tirelessly to protect Floridians. Because of the crisis caused by reckless border policies of the Joe Biden administration, our local law enforcement agencies have stepped up to assist with immigration enforcement efforts and help to deport dangerous criminal illegal aliens out of our country,” Ingoglia said.

“It is because of their efforts that Florida leads the nation in immigration enforcement. We must keep our foot on the gas to continue our efforts to protect Floridians from criminal illegal aliens.”

The immigration issue has risen to increased prominence in the past year as tensions mount in many states, most notably in Minnesota in the past week. But Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said his deputies have long been focusing on deporting migrants who are not in the country legally.

“As our deputies work to arrest and transport criminal illegal aliens, they must have the tools to do their job safely and effectively. I want to thank CFO Ingoglia for his dedication to prioritizing the needs of our deputies as they protect and serve the Polk County community,” Judd said.

Ingoglia presented ceremonial checks to each law enforcement office. The breakdown of funding for each Department includes:

— Polk County Sheriff’s Office: $1,006,985.10.

— Hernando County Sheriff’s Office: $321,112.30.

— Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office: $283,389.68.

— Hardee County Sheriff’s Office: $135,560.

— Port Richey Police Department: $32,850.

The federal funding is distributed through the Florida State Board of Immigration Enforcement, which applies for the reimbursements. Ingoglia is a member of that Board, along with Gov. Ron DeSantis, Attorney General James Uthmeier and Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson.