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Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier

Episode length: 31m

Subscribe to Parsing Immigration PolicySubscribe

Florida has become a national leader in immigration enforcement, and this week’s episode of Parsing Immigration Policy features an in-depth conversation with Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier on the state’s high-profile role.

Attorney General Uthmeier discusses Florida’s measures to enforce immigration law, protect public safety, and collaborate with federal agencies. Highlights include:

  • Detention Capacity: Florida has three times the immigration detention capacity as the next state, with additional space opening.
    • A repurposed facility recently opened, Deportation Depot.
    • Florida is actively challenging the lawsuit aimed at blocking detention at Alligator Alcatraz. (Host Mark Krikorian follows up after the pre-recorded interview with an update on the state’s recent victory in court.)


  • Law Enforcement Authority: Florida is the first state with all officers certified under Section 287(g), empowering them to assist ICE.

  • Public Safety Threats: From illegal alien truck drivers involved in deadly accidents to child predator stings, the AG underscores the risks of unchecked illegal immigration and shares Florida’s responses.

  • Maritime Enforcement: With between 12,000 and 15,000 interdictions in state waters, Florida deploys the National Guard, troopers, and local law enforcement to stop illegal arrivals before they reach shore.

  • Illegal Presence in Florida Is a State Offense: State law prohibits an illegal alien from entering the state; the law is being challenged.

  • No Sanctuary: State law prohibits sanctuary cities and empowers the state to hold jurisdictions accountable by levying civil fines and removing people from office.


The episode concludes with commentary from the Center's executive director Mark Krikorian, who provides an update on litigation surrounding “Alligator Alcatraz” and the illegal alien trucker and his employer responsible for three deaths in Florida. He also highlights Jobs.now, a new website that uncovers legally required but often hidden job postings—creating a jobs clearinghouse for Americans and making it harder for employers to convert H-1B visa holders into green card applicants.

Host

Mark Krikorian is the Executive Director of the Center for Immigration Studies.

Guest

James Uthmeier is the Attorney General of the State of Florida.

Related

Podcast: The Role of Immigration Detention

Intro Montage

Voices in the opening montage:

  • Sen. Barack Obama at a 2005 press conference.
  • Sen. John McCain in a 2010 election ad.
  • President Lyndon Johnson, upon signing the 1965 Immigration Act.
  • Booker T. Washington, reading in 1908 from his 1895 Atlanta Exposition speech.
  • Laraine Newman as a "Conehead" on SNL in 1977.
  • Hillary Clinton in a 2003 radio interview.
  • Cesar Chavez in a 1974 interview.
  • House Speaker Nancy Pelosi speaking to reporters in 2019.
  • Prof. George Borjas in a 2016 C-SPAN appearance.
  • Sen. Jeff Sessions in 2008 comments on the Senate floor.
  • Candidate Trump in 2015 campaign speech.
  • Charlton Heston in "Planet of the Apes".
Host:
Mark Krikorian