Conflicting Messaging on Immigration Policy in Palm Beach County

On its face, immigration policy is under federal jurisdiction. In reality, individual states and even counties can exert considerable influence over how these federal policies are enforced. In fact, some cities (aptly named “sanctuary cities”) do not enforce federal immigration policies at all. Where does Palm Beach County stand in all of this? What are local authorities saying about federal immigration policies? Can a Palm Beach County immigration lawyer help if you’re facing deportation?

Palm Beach County Sheriff Refuses to Conduct Immigration Sweeps 

In March of 2025, the Sheriff of Palm Beach County announced that he was refusing to conduct immigration sweeps in his community. He also encouraged families to continue attending school, church, hospitals, and grocery stores – assuring them that they would not be apprehended and deported because of their status. He also promised to “focus on the bad guys,” outlining a clear distinction between undocumented migrants and hardened criminals.

However, the sheriff did say that he would work with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to arrest anyone in Palm Beach County with existing warrants and criminal records. Under new federal laws, Palm Beach County deputies can act with the same authority as federal immigration officers – something the sheriff did not entirely rule out.

ICE Is Carrying Out Deportations in Palm Beach County 

Despite statements from the local sheriff, there is no denying that ICE is carrying out deportation operations in Palm Beach County. At the beginning of February, ICE announced that it had arrested 32 “aliens” in a massive sweep. According to ICE, all of these individuals had criminal records. Some of the detainees had been convicted of relatively minor crimes, including possession of controlled substances, prostitution, and entering the country illegally. Others had committed more serious offenses like robbery, larceny, and fraud.

Governor DeSantis Remains Tough on Immigration 

Despite statements from the Palm Beach County Sheriff, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has maintained a tough stance on immigration. During a recent roundtable discussion, he reminded the state of the various immigration laws he had recently passed. He also questioned federal judges who have sought to block the invocation of the Alien Enemies Act.

DeSantis also directly addressed local officials who might be uncooperative with his tough efforts on immigration – threatening to suspend sheriffs who refuse to work with ICE. So while local officials in Palm Beach County might make certain promises to undocumented migrants, the governor could simply replace these individuals with those who will be more cooperative. This could represent a major source of conflict between state and local county authorities.

Can a Deportation Defense Lawyer in Palm Beach County Help Me? 

If you are facing immigration issues, a Palm Beach County deportation defense lawyer may be able to help. Regardless of what local authorities are saying about the enforcement of federal policies, authorities like ICE have the authority to remove you from the country in certain situations. Contact The Devore Law Firm to learn more about immigration defense strategies.

Sources: 

palmbeachpost.com/story/opinion/editorials/2025/03/20/palm-beach-sheriff-bradshaw-ice-immigration-deportation/82407141007/

ice.gov/news/releases/ice-arrests-32-illegal-aliens-palm-beach-county-enforcement-action

apnews.com/article/immigration-florida-desantis-homan-fort-myers-c5a7e4f72906c5aa2712b7715812b993