Florida officials announced new statewide initiatives to support federal immigration enforcement during a press conference in Titusville on Thursday, including the appointment of a dedicated state-level ICE liaison and a program to protect federal agents from doxing. 

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, joined by Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey and other state law enforcement leaders, introduced Agent Anthony Coker as the first state-embedded liaison with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

“We’re excited to be the first state to announce our own ICE agent embed in the state,” Uthmeier stated, explaining that Coker will be housed with Florida’s leadership team to support efforts against illegal immigration. 

A second major announcement was the creation of a program to protect ICE agents and their families from “doxing,” the act of publishing private or identifying information about an individual with malicious intent. “We’re not going to tolerate that in Florida. That is illegal in Florida,” Uthmeier said.

Under the new program, ICE agents who believe their personal information has been compromised can report it to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP). The FHP will then conduct check-ups and patrols to ensure the safety of the agents and their families. “While they’re protecting our families, we’re going to protect theirs,” Uthmeier added. 

Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey reinforced the state’s position, thanking the Attorney General and Governor Ron DeSantis for their support of law enforcement. He affirmed that his office would collaborate with the FHP to increase patrols and watch over federal agents.

“Anybody that’s doxing them, as the General said, we passed a law about four or five years ago that makes it illegal to dox here in the state of Florida,” Sheriff Ivey said. “We will take them to full task on doing it.” 

The press conference also served as a stern warning against violent protests and rioting. Officials contrasted Florida’s approach with that of other states like California. “We are not California,” Uthmeier declared. “We have enhanced penalties to ensure you will do time.” 

Sheriff Ivey made a clear distinction between peaceful protest, which he said is invited and protected, and violence. He outlined specific consequences for unlawful actions in Brevard County. “If you block an intersection or a roadway in Brevard County, you are going to jail,” he warned. “If you try to mob rule a car in Brevard County… you’re most likely going to get run over.” 

Colonel Gary Howes of the Florida Highway Patrol echoed the sentiment, stating, “The kind of lawlessness that we’ve witnessed on the streets of California will not be tolerated in Florida.” He emphasized that FHP would do everything in its power to defend federal law enforcement partners. 

Larry Keefe, Florida’s Public Safety Czar, focused his remarks on the families of law enforcement officers and the new tactic of targeting them to intimidate officers. He described the state’s new protective program as an “Overwatch” for ICE officers and their families, ensuring they can live “safe, strong and free.” 

In response to a question about due process for detained immigrants, Attorney General Uthmeier stated, “Everybody will get due process,” but noted they could be “locked up while they go through it.” 

Agent Coker, speaking on behalf of federal law enforcement, thanked the state for its support. “Knowing that you and the state of Florida have our backs while we perform these duties, we could rest easy knowing and staying focused on the mission set forth,” he said.