Santa Rosa County Sheriff calls ICE’s move to poach Florida deputies ‘unacceptable’

SANTA ROSA COUNTY, Fla. — Immigration and Customs Enforcement is trying to recruit Florida deputies to join their ranks.

Currently, deputies across the state are working with the federal government through the 287 (g) program. That allows them to operate like ICE agents.

Now, the federal government is asking these deputies to quit their jobs and join ICE. They sent out a job offer over email, incentivizing a $50,000 sign-on bonus.

Santa Rosa County Sheriff Bob Johnson calls the move “unacceptable.”