Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is pushing back against the Department of Homeland Security’s latest recruitment push, accusing federal officials of “poaching” deputies from local and state agencies to fill positions with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Speaking Friday at Florida Highway Patrol Headquarters in Orlando, DeSantis said ICE’s aggressive hiring campaign—which includes a maximum $50,000 signing bonus and other lucrative federal benefits—is undermining state law enforcement efforts by enticing experienced officers to jump ship.
“Sheriffs [are] losing deputies who are in this fight to just wear a different jersey, basically, but still be in the fight. That doesn’t necessarily add to what we’re doing. It’s just moving someone over,” DeSantis said.
Federal Incentives Spark Frustration