SANFORD, Fla.- Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Blaise Ingoglia visited the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office to present Sheriff Dennis Lemma with over $1 million for immigration enforcement through the State Board of Immigration Enforcement. 

Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia said, “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. 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.”  

Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma said, “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. 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.” 

Local law enforcement agencies that have applied for reimbursement of immigration enforcement have received funding through the State Board of Immigration. The 287 (g) agreement of the Immigration and Nationality Act allows for state and local law enforcement to partner with ICE. Additionally, it provides bonuses to law enforcement officers who have been trained under the 287 (g) agreement.