JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The legislation approved by City Council Tuesday night that aims to crack down on illegal immigration in Jacksonville is now sitting on Mayor Donna Deegan’s desk, who said is still in the process of reviewing it before deciding whether to sign it or not.
Spearheaded by Council Vice President Kevin Carrico, Ordinance 2025-0147-E, also known as the Jacksonville Illegal Immigration Enforcement Act, would give the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office the resources to help identify individuals who live in the country illegally.
The bill currently provides funding for 25 additional fingerprint scanners and would also require local law enforcement to notify ICE and FDLE if an arrest is made.
Local attorney Belkis Plata said this she is concerned about the proposed legislation.
“So we have people who are undocumented, who can and do have a driver’s license. You know, you’re still going through the process, but you’ve been granted the ability to work and drive. And so, the question is, ‘What exactly are we talking about? Are we talking about someone who is not a US citizen?’ But it appears it’s really targeting anyone who has does not have actual legal status,” Plata said.
Deegan sent the following statement on the ordinance.
“We are continuing to review Ordinance #2025-0147-E now that it has passed the City Council. When it was first filed, I raised the issue of redundancy with existing state and federal laws. That concern remains today.
My team is working with the Office of General Counsel to review potential unintended consequences, including the risk that the City of Jacksonville could face a lawsuit that requires taxpayer dollars to defend. This is not hypothetical. A case involving the State of Texas is currently moving through the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.
This is a decision we must get right for our community, and it is not one that I intend to rush. Regardless of that, we will make sure that JSO receives the fingerprint scanners they have requested. While my preference was for state funding to be tapped, the City Council has passed an appropriation that we will move forward.
Jacksonville will always follow local, state, and federal laws that are constitutional, and we will always ensure our first responders have the tools they need to do their difficult jobs.”
Mayor Donna Deegan
Two hours after Deegan’s response to the ordinance, Carrico sent a statement which says:
“Mayor Deegan’s refusal to sign the Jacksonville Illegal Immigration Enforcement Act is unconscionable. This bill is simple: it aligns our city with the priorities of the President and Governor, cracks down on those who break the law, and gives the Sheriff’s Office the resources it needs to enforce state law and keep our community safe.
“Instead of doing her job, the Mayor is hiding behind her lawyer, Mr. Fackler — the same bureaucrat who was publicly admonished by the City Council just last night for failing to do his job. Donna Deegan is not leading — she’s making excuses. Jacksonville doesn’t need more delay, deflection, or lawyer double speak — it needs bold leadership from a Mayor who will enforce the law, not one who hides behind lawyers and runs from responsibility.”
JSO said in a statement that it already has 150 scanners and the additional 25 would only be used if the individual can’t produce proper documentation. The statement says in part:
“The devices are not randomly used on citizens without them first being lawfully detained – and would be utilized on any citizen meeting these qualifications, not just in relation to immigration status,” JSO wrote.
Plata called the issue “complicated.”
“It is so fresh, we do not know what the implications are going to be, but they can be devastating to families who are here in this country, who have been complying with everything that they can trying to make through the process,” Plata said.
