Worries increase in Orange County regarding ICE patrols and holding of immigrants

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Concerns have been raised by immigration advocates and local residents regarding recent federal immigration enforcement actions in Central Florida. These actions include a U.S. Border Patrol stop in Apopka and continued detentions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The topic dominated public comment during Tuesday’s Orange County Board of Commissioners meeting, despite not being on the official agenda.

A notable incident involved Victor Salgado, who was stopped by Border Patrol on May 30 while driving in the Green Ridge Drive area of Apopka. Reports indicate that a federal agent, during a routine patrol, approached Salgado to inquire about his immigration status.

Advocates say incidents like this, along with ICE detentions at the Orange County jail, are creating fear and confusion in immigrant communities.

At a meeting, an immigration advocate expressed the current situation: “Right now, people are disappearing from public jail records without charges, legal support, and have lost contact with their families.”

Representatives from organizations including the Hope Community Center addressed the board, raising alarm about the uncertainty many face.

“Orange County is home to thousands of Haitians, Venezuelans, Cubans, and Nicaraguans whose legal status can now be revoked,” a representative said. “These residents have legally lived and worked here after fleeing extreme violence and oppression.”

Andrea, a University of Central Florida student and naturalized citizen originally from Venezuela, shared her emotional testimony.

“A lot of people I know have been waiting years for appointments or news,” she said. “They’ve built lives here, but now they are being detained or arrested, and no one knows where they’ve gone.”

Isiah Mark, with the hospitality union Unite Here Local 737, said there is fear in immigrant communities.

“As a Haitian immigrant, I know that fear. We’re asking leaders to ensure due process is respected.”

According to county officials, from Jan. 1 through May 10 of this year, 438 individuals were booked into the Orange County Jail solely on ICE detainers without any state charges. Another 684 were held on both local charges and ICE detainers.

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings said the county’s role is limited when it comes to federal immigration enforcement.

“Obviously, those are federal issues,” Demings said. “When individuals are booked into our jail under federal law, they typically stay 24 to 48 hours. They are treated humanely while in our custody.”

Commissioners acknowledged community concern but emphasized that federal authorities set policy. No formal action was taken by the board, though some commissioners signaled interest in reviewing the issue further.