Chief financial officer Blaise Ingoglia visits Seminole County Sheriff’s Office to present more than one million dollars for immigration enforcement

Sanford, Florida – Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia visited the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office this week to award more than $1 million in funding for immigration enforcement, underscoring Florida’s ongoing commitment to public safety and support for local law enforcement. The funds were provided through the State Board of Immigration Enforcement and are intended to bolster operational capacity, training, and resources for officers involved in identifying and removing criminal aliens.

During the visit, CFO Ingoglia highlighted Florida’s leadership in immigration enforcement and praised the work of local and federal law enforcement agencies. “Florida has continued to be the gold standard for immigration enforcement in our country thanks to the hard work of our local and federal law enforcement partners,” Ingoglia said. “Because of the work of our law enforcement agencies, criminal illegal aliens are being taken off our streets and Florida families are safer. I am pleased to continue my work with Governor Ron DeSantis and President Donald Trump to deport more criminal illegal aliens out of our country and state by ensuring that our local law enforcement officers have the resources to continue to do their job effectively.”

The funding announcement comes as part of a broader effort to support law enforcement agencies that participate in immigration enforcement programs under federal law. Local agencies that have applied for reimbursement through the State Board of Immigration receive financial assistance to help cover costs associated with immigration enforcement duties. This includes support for officers trained under the 287(g) agreement of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which allows state and local law enforcement to work directly with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Officers trained under the 287(g) program are also eligible for bonuses to recognize their specialized expertise.

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Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma welcomed the funds, emphasizing their importance to both officer preparedness and community safety. “With the support of the State of Florida, the State Board of Immigration Enforcement, and our continued collaboration with our federal partners, we have the critical financial resources and operational capacity necessary to identify and remove criminal aliens who deliberately bypass the immigration process, ignore our laws, and threaten the safety of our community,” Lemma said. “These funds are not only deeply appreciated but also vital to ensuring that our deputies have the tools, training, and support required to carry out their duties with diligence and professionalism. I am especially grateful for CFO Ingoglia’s steadfast leadership and unwavering commitment to protecting the citizens of Seminole County and communities across our state.”

CFO Ingoglia serves as Florida’s chief financial officer and state fire marshal, overseeing billions of dollars in state funds while ensuring that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently. As part of his role, he works closely with first responders and local agencies to ensure they have the resources needed to protect communities. His involvement in immigration enforcement funding reflects a larger state strategy to strengthen public safety and support law enforcement efforts at the local level.

The $1 million award to the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office will enhance the county’s ability to monitor and enforce immigration laws, provide specialized training for deputies, and ensure ongoing collaboration with federal partners. This funding is expected to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of immigration enforcement efforts while maintaining a focus on protecting the public.

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By investing in law enforcement resources and reinforcing Florida’s commitment to federal immigration programs, CFO Ingoglia and state officials aim to create safer communities and provide officers with the tools they need to carry out their responsibilities. The partnership between state, local, and federal agencies continues to be central to Florida’s approach to immigration enforcement and public safety.

This latest funding initiative is part of a broader trend in the state to support law enforcement agencies in their mission to enforce the law, protect residents, and respond to evolving public safety challenges across Florida.