DeSantis Rejects Florida Sheriff Grady Judd’s Exemption Of Non-Criminal Illegal Aliens

BRADENTON, Fla.  — Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Thursday firmly rejected a proposal from six members of the state’s Republican-appointed Immigration Enforcement Council to prioritize deportations of undocumented immigrants solely for those with criminal records.

The recommendations, advanced by prominent figures including Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, would have the council send a letter to President Donald Trump urging a refocus of federal enforcement priorities.

Judd and others had advocated for a probationary process for certain undocumented residents, including English-language requirements and fines.

DeSantis pushed back sharply during a press conference, arguing the approach contradicts federal law and Trump’s campaign promises for broad immigration enforcement.

“This idea that unless you’re an axe murderer you should be able to stay, that is not consistent with our laws and it’s also not good policy,” DeSantis said.

He continued: “‘You come illegally and you stay until you commit a really violent crime,’ that just doesn’t work. It’s incoherent and it’s not what the President ran on.”

The governor also described the council’s plan to send a letter to Trump as “a bad idea.”

Florida has maintained one of the nation’s toughest stances on immigration. State law requires full cooperation between local law enforcement and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Not all members agreed, though, Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters publicly distanced himself from the majority view, stating he does not endorse the comments and supports full enforcement of the law.