Florida
Florida Approves $87M as Florida Immigration Grants Local Law Enforcement Funding Expands
Acting as the newly created State Board of Immigration Enforcement, Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet on Tuesday approved more than $87 million in immigration reimbursements for 56 local law enforcement agencies, most of it for radios and AI…
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Key points
- Florida’s Cabinet approved over $87 million in immigration grants for local law enforcement.
- Brevard County received the largest share, over $14 million, for technology upgrades.
- More than 150 grant requests totaling over $147 million have been approved since September.
NewsWK — On June 9, 2026, Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet, serving as the State Board of Immigration Enforcement, authorized over $87 million in funding aimed at supporting local law enforcement agencies in their efforts to manage immigration issues.
Distribution of DeSantis Immigration Grants
This funding, drawn from a $250 million state grant designated to combat undocumented immigration, will benefit 56 local law enforcement agencies across the state. Notably, the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office received the largest allocation, totaling more than $14.2 million, which includes funding for AI-driven car cameras, radios, and a comprehensive artificial intelligence policing software.
Florida Police Immigration Funding Targets Surveillance and Tech
The approved grants reflect a growing trend among law enforcement agencies toward utilizing advanced technology, with over $30 million earmarked for mobile and portable radios alone. Other significant amounts were allocated to companies specializing in AI technology, including Axon and Peregrine.
Since the establishment of the board, more than 150 grant requests have been approved, totaling over $147 million, although only $4.9 million has been distributed to date. Most of this initial funding has gone to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, which received $2.1 million.
Other noteworthy grants include:
- Flagler County Sheriff’s Office: $883,000 for a helicopter spotlight and $37,000 for night vision equipment.
- Collier County Sheriff’s Office: $600,000 for mobile Skywatch towers and $349,000 for inmate scanners.
- Bay County Sheriff’s Office: $300,000 for taser bundles.
- Liberty County Sheriff’s Office: $45,000 for riot gear uniforms.
- Auburndale Police Department: $40,000 for body armor plates.
This initiative comes during a period of heightened scrutiny regarding immigration policy and the role of artificial intelligence in law enforcement, making it a significant development for local communities in Florida.
Based on reporting originally published by Florida Phoenix. Read the original story.
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