St. Lucie County Sheriff Richard Del Toro is intensifying immigration law enforcement in response to President Donald Trump’s recent directives. This strategic shift reflects a broader trend in Florida, following the federal government’s push for stricter immigration policies.
Following Trump’s re-election, his administration has made curbing illegal immigration a priority through executive orders, granting local law enforcement agencies more power in immigration enforcement. Sheriff Del Toro is aligning his department with these national policies, utilizing the federal 287(g) program. This initiative allows state and local officers to execute immigration law functions traditionally handled by federal authorities, marking a significant structural evolution within the sheriff’s office.
“What you don’t enforce, you allow. So, we’re enforcing it now, and I think it’s going to make a big difference moving forward,” Sheriff Del Toro stated, emphasizing his proactive stance.
Implementation of the 287(g) Program
St. Lucie County has joined several Florida jurisdictions in adopting the 287(g) program. In partnership with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the sheriff’s office now places detainers on inmates identified as undocumented immigrants. Officers also undergo training to issue and execute federal immigration warrants.
Additionally, a new Special Investigations Division, comprising six deputies, has been established to focus on homeland security. This division complements enhanced marine enforcement capabilities. Currently, marine deputies patrol up to three miles off Florida’s coast; however, upcoming federal training is expected to expand their reach further into federal waters.
Marine Deputy Frerick Lablond reports increased patrol activities along St. Lucie County’s 21-mile coastline. “Lately, we’ve been going out and patrolling the coastline quite a bit,” he noted, highlighting a rise in assignments following the stricter enforcement mandate.
Potential for Increased Funding and Resources
While St. Lucie County awaits tangible outcomes from these efforts, Sheriff Del Toro is optimistic. With Governor Ron DeSantis allocating $300 million for state immigration enforcement, Del Toro plans to request funds to bolster aviation and marine units.
Deputy Lablond underscores the strategic role of coastal patrols in preventing illegal activities like human smuggling and drug trafficking. “These could be criminals coming over. We don’t know what their intentions are,” he remarked, stressing the importance of vigilant maritime surveillance.
Despite the heightened measures, no recent migrant landings have been reported in St. Lucie County, contrasting with previous incidents such as a February 2024 yacht arrival from Haiti. Sheriff Del Toro hopes these enforcement actions discourage unlawful entry attempts, asserting, “I hope they get the message and stop their attempts at coming over illegally and go through the right process.”
As federal mandates continue to evolve, St. Lucie County remains a focal point within national discussions on immigration and security. Further details are available through WPTV’s ongoing coverage of this developing situation.
