Orange County commissioners ratify ICE agreement with 5-2 vote to transport detainees to 'Alligator Alcatraz'

ORLANDO, Fla. - In a contentious and emotional meeting Tuesday, the Orange County Commission voted 5-2 to approve a controversial state-mandated addendum involving the transport of suspected undocumented immigrants to "Alligator Alcatraz," an immigration detention facility in the Everglades, despite concerns over legality, staffing shortages, and public outcry.

‘Strike a deal with ICE or get removed from office’

The backstory:

After several hours of discussion and public comment, commissioners voted 5-2 to ratify the agreement. The dissenting votes came from District 1 Commissioner Nicole Wilson and District 5 Commissioner Kelly Semrad. 

The vote to approve an agreement with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) followed a direct threat from Gov. Ron DeSantis and Attorney General Jame Uthmeier: sign the addendum or risk removal from office.

Mayor Jerry Demings said that the county was backed into a corner due to a state law, so it needs to be passed. Demings signed the ICE agreement last week, allowing the county to assist in transporting suspected undocumented immigrants.

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At the heart of the dispute is a provision that would require the county to provide corrections officers to help transport suspected undocumented immigrants to a new state detention facility, nicknamed "Alligator Alcatraz."

Opponents say the requirement would strain an already under-resourced jail system and compromise local public safety.

By the numbers:

The Orange County Jail is currently operating with a 24% staffing shortage, equivalent to more than 200 vacant corrections officer positions. As of the day of the vote, the jail housed 3,145 inmates—94% of whom are awaiting trial rather than serving sentences.

Statewide data from the Department of Corrections show that pretrial detainees made up an average of 84.3% of the Florida jail population in 2024, up from 80.8% in 2023.

Commissioner Semrad held a "Defending Your Dollars" news conference Tuesday morning ahead of the county commission meeting. She cited internal figures indicating the number of inmates held on federal immigration detainers—without local criminal charges—has surged by more than 3,400%.

Adding to financial concerns, it costs Orange County $145 per day to house an inmate, but federal U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reimburses only $88. That leaves the county covering a $57-per-day shortfall for each ICE detainee.

‘Political coercion’

What they're saying:

Dist. 1 Commissioner Nicole Wilson and Dist. 5 Commissioner Kelly Martinez Semrad cast the two dissenting votes. 

"It may mean that I’m removed from this board, but this is a hill that’s worth me standing on," said Commissioner Semrad.

"I don’t think I can vote in a way that is contradictory to the oath I took… because of a threat," said Commissioner Wilson.

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More than 60 residents addressed the commission during public comment, urging leaders to reject the addendum and challenge the state in court.

"This is a moment that sets precedent and history in Orlando," one speaker said. "Please stand with us. We stand with you."

Mayor Jerry Demings expressed willingness to fight the measure legally but said doing so after being removed from office by the governor would be futile.

"The destruction, the damage that could be done in that period of time could be catastrophic," Demings said. "You would have unduly exposed our community to that calamity."

Commissioner Mike Scott called it the most difficult—and frightening—vote he’s faced in office.

"This may be a bookend, or it may be the end of one chapter and the start of another," he told FOX 35.

What's next:

Demings said the county is still exploring litigation options against the state but noted that the battle would be waged from within office—not from the sidelines.

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