Politics
Blaise Ingoglia distributes immigration enforcement reimbursement checks to 3 departments
Law enforcement agencies in Marion, Bradford and Dixie counties got a cut of $166K in reimbursements.
Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia is continuing a tradition that he started about a year ago by distributing immigration enforcement reimbursement funds to local law enforcement agencies.
Ingoglia ceremonially presented three checks as part of his latest effort. Two went to Sheriff’s Offices in Marion and Bradford counties, while the third went to the Cross City Police Department in Dixie County.
The combined reimbursements totaled $166,317. The funds come from the State Board of Immigration Enforcement.
“It’s not fair to the taxpayers. … They shouldn’t have to bear the costs,” Ingoglia said in a news conference. “We’re going to give you money to reimburse any costs you have borne.”
Marion County and Bradford County each received reimbursement funds of $77,200 for their efforts in apprehending undocumented immigrants. The Cross City Police Department got a check for $20,000.
Ingoglia’s last check presentation was in January, when he distributed reimbursements to five law enforcement departments, handing out more than $1.78 million in funds.
For Bradford County, it’s the second time in the past year that the Sheriff’s Office has received immigration enforcement reimbursement. The agency was part of some $1.8 million granted to five Northeast Florida agencies in October.
Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods said many are unaware of how much immigration enforcement is being executed by local law enforcement.
“The problems are not just on the border of Texas or anywhere else,” Woods said. “It affects every single city.”
Woods added that the Marion County Jail sees about 30 undocumented migrants who are arrested for being in the U.S. illegally each week. He said those migrants coming into the country illegally are often trafficking fentanyl and other drugs.
“I find it offensive for people who want to allow them just to stay here,” Woods said. “Illegals are here. They’re committing crimes. For us just to accept it, well, you’re part of the problem.”