Immigration enforcement has become one of the defining issues of Florida's 2026 election cycle — and it isn't just campaign talk. The candidates now facing off for governor hold sharply different views on how far the state should go in helping federal agents make arrests, and whoever wins the November 3 general election will take office in January 2027 with the power to expand, freeze, or reshape enforcement across all 67 counties. At the Law Offices of Sekou Clarke, we don't tell clients how to vote. But we do believe that citizens, green card holders, TPS recipients, and undocumented Floridians alike deserve a clear-eyed understanding of what's actually being decided — and what it could mean for their families starting next year.
Why an Election for Governor Matters for Immigration Enforcement
Immigration law itself is federal. But in Florida, the governor has become one of the most consequential figures in how that law actually gets enforced on the ground. Over the past two years, the state has required local police departments and sheriffs' offices to sign 287(g) agreements — contracts that deputize local officers to carry out immigration enforcement duties on ICE's behalf — and has threatened to remove local officials who resist. The next governor decides whether that mandate expands, holds steady, or gets pulled back, which is why immigration has moved from a talking point to a central campaign issue this cycle.
Florida's Enforcement Reality, By the Numbers
The scale of enforcement in Florida is already among the highest in the country. As of this summer, 272 of Florida's 394 law enforcement agencies held active 287(g) agreements with ICE, though only 163 had made at least one immigration-related arrest under the program. Nationally, ICE arrests climbed to roughly 49,571 people in July 2026 alone — the highest monthly total of the Trump administration's second term, and a 70% increase from February. Florida and Texas together accounted for nearly 20,000 of those July arrests, more than any other state, largely because both have leaned so heavily on 287(g) partnerships. Earlier in the summer, Florida officials pointed to roughly 25,000 arrests carried out through three separate statewide enforcement initiatives, with additional operations reaching smaller communities and suburban neighborhoods that had previously seen little federal presence.
Two Very Different Visions on the November Ballot
Voters in the August 18 primary set up a general election matchup between Republican Byron Donalds and Democrat David Jolly, and the two candidates could not offer a starker contrast on immigration enforcement.
- Byron Donalds has pledged to continue and expand Florida's current approach, warning that "Florida is not now and will never be a sanctuary state" and that local officials who "decide that they want to ignore federal immigration law and the laws of the state of Florida" will be removed from office. He has also described the state's enforcement push as "mission accomplished" and called for the federal government to reimburse Florida for its enforcement costs.
- David Jolly has said he would not require 287(g) participation as governor, explaining, "I would trust local law enforcement to decide whether or not that's something they should engage in," and has floated suspending existing agreements while building in stronger oversight and due process protections.
During the primary, Republican candidate James Fishback ran on an even harder-line platform — including a full immigration moratorium — and, according to reporting on WLRN's The Florida Roundup, drew support that ranged from young, populist-minded voters to darker corners of the internet. While Fishback did not win the nomination, his campaign was a sign of how much pressure immigration enforcement is generating within Florida politics well beyond the general election.
What This Means Even If You Can't Vote
Immigration policy is one of the rare election issues where the people most affected by the outcome often cannot cast a ballot. Undocumented residents, many TPS holders, and some green card holders and visa holders have no vote in November — yet the result will directly shape their risk at a routine traffic stop, their family's stability, and whether their county's police department continues operating as an extension of ICE. For citizens, including U.S.-born family members of immigrants, this is precisely why the vote carries extra weight: it is, in many cases, the only say a mixed-status household gets in how enforcement impacts their home.
What Florida Families Should Do Between Now and January
Regardless of which candidate prevails, the months surrounding a change in Florida's leadership will be historical. Families should use this window to get their affairs in order rather than wait and react.
- Know your rights during any encounter with local police or ICE: you have the right to remain silent and the right to speak with an attorney before answering questions about your immigration status.
- Keep immigration paperwork, TPS documentation, and any pending applications organized and easily accessible.
- Put a family preparedness plan in place, including power-of-attorney documents for childcare and financial matters, in case of an unexpected detention.
- Avoid relying on campaign rhetoric or social media for legal guidance — enforcement policy can shift quickly, and what applies today may not apply after January 2027.
- Speak with a licensed immigration attorney now, rather than waiting until after an encounter with law enforcement, so your options are already mapped out.
A Nonpartisan Resource for an Increasingly Political Issue
The Law Offices of Sekou Clarke was built by immigrants, for immigrants, and our role is not to campaign for any candidate or party. It's to make sure the families we serve — in Orlando, Panama City Beach, New York, and Kingston, Jamaica — understand the law as it stands today and are prepared for how it may change tomorrow. As Florida's 2026 election moves toward its conclusion, we will continue tracking what each outcome could mean for enforcement, for 287(g) agreements, and for the families whose future depends on getting sound legal advice rather than political spin.
Have Questions About How Enforcement Could Affect Your Family?
Whether the current administration continues its approach or Florida charts a new course in 2027, understanding your rights and options shouldn't wait for election results. The Law Offices of Sekou Clarke has helped Florida families navigate a fast-changing immigration landscape for years, and we're ready to help you plan ahead.
Call us today at (407) 269-8774 to schedule a consultation.
Our offices are located in Orlando, FL, Panama City Beach, FL, New York, NY, and Kingston, Jamaica.
