- February 12, 2026
Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia presented law enforcement agencies in Volusia and Flagler County with over $1.7 million to support immigration enforcement during a stop in Daytona Beach on Wednesday, Feb. 11.
Touting enhanced criminal penalties for immigrants living in the United States without permanent legal status, Ingoglia spoke during the news conference about measures to reduce illegal immigration in the state, including stopping the issuance of driver's licenses and IDs, mandatory DNA testing for those who are suspected of committing a crime, in-state tuition and the banning of sanctuary cities.
The state also mandated that local and state law enforcement agencies partner with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to identify people residing in the state illegally. The funds awarded to local law enforcement agencies through the State Board of Immigration for Florida were a reimbursement for their work in immigration enforcement-related activities.
"Through these reimbursements, the state of Florida is ensuring that every law enforcement agency has the resources that it needs to enforce our nation's laws, immigration laws and to protect our citizens," Ingoglia said. "Because we know that in order to stop the stem of illegal immigration, you have to create deterrence. You have to get rid of the magnets, and there is no bigger deterrent than these guys standing behind me and the hard work that their brothers and sisters do in our communities keeping us safe."
The Flagler County Sheriff's Office received the largest sum of funds, at $725,874.50. The Observer contacted the FCSO to inquire about the number of ICE-related arrests made from 2025 to date but did not hear back in time for publication.
At the news conference, Staly said that the funds help the FCSO train deputies to support ICE, as well as purchase new equipment, such as rapid ID technology and a body camera system that allows for instant translation in over 50 languages.
The funds also help to provide stipends to deputies who participated, or obtained training, to support ICE.
Staly spoke about cases where crimes were committed in Flagler County by a person without legal status, such as a Cuban national who was arrested for sexually assaulting a minor in 2025. He was recently sentenced to six years in prison and will be deported after his sentence. Staly also mentioned another Cuban national arrested last month for felony theft of nearly $4,000 in meat from a Publix, the December 2025 arrest of two Colombian nationals involved in a residential burglary that happened in 2023, and a Russian national arrested for credit card fraud.
"Unlike what you see in some cities and counties across the country, the Flagler County Sheriff's Office will always work with our federal partners — will always work with ICE to identify and arrest criminals who enter our country illegally and commit crime," Staly said. "Bottom line, you come to Flagler County, you commit a crime, expect to be arrested, and if you're illegal, we're going to turn you over to ICE, and this grant, frankly, makes that possible."
Volusia County Corrections received $505,789.48, and the Volusia Sheriff's Office received $334,262.30.
Since February 2025, VSO deputies have recorded about 220 encounters with people who have been referred to ICE or U.S. Customs and Border Protection for immigration detainers.
VSO used $221,000 to purchase rapid identification fingerprint machines that are tied to ICE's database. The rest of the funds have been used to compensate deputies for training and participation in ICE operations.
In his 38 years in law enforcement, Chitwood said police have always cooperated with ICE. He criticized the Biden administration for not responding when VSO notified the federal government that an illegal immigration arrest had been made.
"Now it's different," Chitwood said. "When you pick up the phone, you get resources immediately to help you do your job, to do what you need."
Three city police departments also received funds: Daytona Beach Police Department ($133,721.30), Daytona Beach Shores Department of Public Safety ($53,750.82) and Holly Hill Police Department ($32,468.83).
The Observer also reached out to DBPD to inquire about the number of ICE-related arrests made in 2025 to date but did not hear back in time for publication.
Ormond Beach Police Department did not receive a reimbursement; from 2025 to date, the agency has reported two ICE-related incidents.
At the news conference, Ingoglia also spoke about new legislation to "further disincentivize illegal immigration." Under his proposed legislation — House Bill 1307 — people living in the state illegally would be prohibited from obtaining commercial driver's licenses, and would stop licensing instructing testing and procedures to be given in any language other than English.
Additionally, he announced that they would be proposing an amendment to the bill to extend Florida's HALO law to prevent people from filming federal agents within a distance of 25 feet. Failure to comply would result in a second-degree misdemeanor. The HALO law currently only applies to local or state law enforcement officers.
In states like Minnesota, federal agents have been filmed by the citizens during ICE-related activity, leading to public outcry and scrutiny, particularly after the fatal shootings of Renée Good and Alex Pretti.
"Florida is not Minnesota, and there is a reason why we do not have protesters and agitators blocking our streets and destroying our downtowns," Ingoglia said. "When we say we support law enforcement partners, we mean all of our law enforcement partners, including federal law enforcement."
