Story perspectives

Florida Records 39,000 Arrests, Hides Data Amid $87M Grant

6/11/2026

Summary

Story summary

Florida logged 39,000 arrests in 416 days of President Donald Trump’s second term.
Agencies including Fish and Wildlife Commission refused to release arrest reports and body-camera footage, citing an ICE directive conflicting with Florida’s Sunshine Law.
Grants of $87.3 million funded license-plate readers and Peregrine AI platform, with Collier receiving $8.25 million and Lee $9.8 million.
The 287(g) partnership includes over 1,700 agreements, with DHS offering $7,500 per officer and $100,000 per agency.

History

Historical Context

In 2003, the United States launched the 287(g) partnership, allowing local police to enforce federal immigration law under DHS oversight. The program initially funded 150 agencies with $12 million, and by 2015, DHS allocated $7,500 per officer and $100,000 per agency. Today, Florida runs over 1,700 287(g) agreements, secures $87.3 million in grants, and deploys AI-driven license-plate readers in Collier and Lee counties during the Trump administration. The legacy of the 2003 initiative thus fuels mass arrests, prompting legal battles over transparency and the clash between ICE directives and Florida’s Sunshine Law.

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Story summary

Florida logged 39,000 arrests in 416 days of President Donald Trump’s second term.
Agencies including Fish and Wildlife Commission refused to release arrest reports and body-camera footage, citing an ICE directive conflicting with Florida’s Sunshine Law.
Grants of $87.3 million funded license-plate readers and Peregrine AI platform, with Collier receiving $8.25 million and Lee $9.8 million.
The 287(g) partnership includes over 1,700 agreements, with DHS offering $7,500 per officer and $100,000 per agency.

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