In November 2023 the Hillsborough County Republican Executive Committee (HREC) voted to encourage the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) to embrace Governor DeSantis’ 2023 Sheriff’s Letter of Support, enforce FL Statute 908.11, in Florida, to address the Crisis on our Southern border due to a failure on the Federal Level. To date, more than 90 Sheriffs nationwide have signed on and agreed that our border continues to be wide-open and creates an existential threat for Hillsborough County residents. 

Critical in protecting the people of Hillsborough County, the HCSO is charged with addressing all threats to public safety. In this regard, the HREC has sought to encourage the HCSO to strengthen its enforcement of ICE’s 287(g) Section of the 1996 Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act through compliance with Florida Statute 908.11. 

Chairwoman Carmen Edmonds, who while not serving as Chair when the resolution passed, expressed support. “Democrat leadership from the President on down to the Mayor of Tampa have failed the most basic responsibility of elected office - public safety.” She continued, “By failing to close our southern border, all States become border states. Open Borders impacts our schools, public safety, and our national security. It is essential that our local Law Enforcement agencies address this by being our last line of defense against this invasion by enhancing collaboration with ICE at a state and local law enforcement level.” 

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