Grady Judd, the sheriff in Polk County, Florida, said Tuesday that he didn’t mean to cause a sensation when he proposed giving a break to illegal immigrants who are “doing good” by granting them firm legal status.
But that’s just what happened.
Headlines called his comments, at a meeting earlier this week of the State immigration Enforcement Council that he helmed, a rebellion against President Trump and a slam at the president’s mass deportation campaign.
“Not true,” the sheriff said in a follow-up news conference Tuesday.
He said he does, in fact, want Congress to pass a bill legalizing illegal immigrants who are here without a criminal record and who are working, playing a constructive role in their communities and who are willing to pay a fine.
But Sheriff Judd said in the meantime, if they’re found by authorities, they do still risk deportation.
“We in fact support the mass deportation of illegal aliens,” he said. “If you’re here illegally and you take that risk to be here illegally, then you’re going to be deported.”
On Monday, at the council meeting, Sheriff Judd said the government needed to find a way to separate troublesome illegal immigrants from those who were generally law-abiding.
“While Congress sits on their hands and does nothing about this, we are on the ground floor with this day in and day out — looking in the eyes of these folks that, yes, came here inappropriately. But some came here inappropriately only to do better for themselves and their family,” he said.
He said he would lead a letter to Congress asking for the changes.
On Tuesday, Sheriff Judd said those here committing crimes, and 1.5 million migrants who have already been ordered deported by an immigration judge, are priorities for ouster.
But for others, “we need to find a path for them.”
“They’re doing what’s right, and they’re helping the economy, they’re helping the community,” he said. “Our conversation [Monday] focuses on a path forward for those that are here doing what’s right other than being illegal.”
Monday’s council meeting drew fierce pushback from state officials to other sheriffs who said they remain committed to their current law enforcement mission.
Under Florida law, every county jail is signed up for a cooperative agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to smooth the transfer of illegal immigrants in their custody.
Sheriff Judd said he supports ICE.
“They’re excellent to work with,” he said.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.
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