Jacksonville Takes Bold Step to Enforce Immigration Laws Amid National Debate

The city of Jacksonville, Florida, has made headlines by becoming the first city in the United States to criminalize illegal immigration through a new ordinance. City council members and supporters argue that this legislation is essential to enhancing public safety.

At-large Jacksonville City Council member Nick Howland spoke with Fox News Digital about the newly enacted ordinance, officially designated as #2025-0147. This law was passed by the city council with a vote of 12-5 and was signed into law just days ago.

Howland emphasized the significance of this legislation, stating, “We are the first city in the country to enact this kind of bill. We’re standing with our president and our governor to secure our borders, reverse the Biden wave of illegal immigration, and keep our streets and neighborhoods safe.”

Key Provisions of the Ordinance

The Jacksonville Illegal Immigration Enforcement Act not only criminalizes unauthorized immigration but also allocates substantial resources to assist the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office in identifying individuals without legal status. The ordinance includes provisions for the acquisition of 25 mobile fingerprint scanners, a crucial tool for law enforcement.

Under this new law, undocumented immigrants entering or residing in Jacksonville will face criminal charges. First-time offenders may undergo a mandatory 30-day jail sentence, while repeat offenders could be sentenced to up to 60 days behind bars.

Howland elaborated on the bill’s structure, stating, “There are two main parts to the bill. The first part makes it illegal for unauthorized immigrants to reside in Duval County. The second part focuses on determining individuals’ immigration status.” This dual approach aims to tackle unauthorized immigration effectively.

Increasing Law Enforcement Capability

Similar to police departments across the nation, Jacksonville’s law enforcement relies on fingerprint readers. Howland stated, “This bill will help Sheriff T.K. Waters assess the department’s need for more fingerprint readers in patrol units that operate 24/7 throughout the city and county.” With the bill’s funding, the department will procure 25 additional devices, raising the total to over 150.

With Jacksonville covering an expansive area of more than 800 square miles, lawmakers see the new tools as essential to enhancing law enforcement’s capacity. Howland remarked, “This is critical because it gives the sheriff another tool in the toolbox to enforce the law effectively.”

Statistics Highlighting the Need for Action

Recent immigration data from Duval County reveals alarming trends. In 2024, authorities detained 602 undocumented immigrants, with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) assuming custody of 334 for deportation. The statistics indicate a significant number of these individuals had previous felonies, including charges related to battery and DUI.

Howland reiterated the ordinance’s public safety focus, stating, “At the end of the day, this is a public safety bill. It aims to keep dangerous individuals off our streets and ensure our community’s safety by clearly identifying individuals’ legal status.”

Controversy Surrounding the Legislation

While proponents hail the law as a significant step towards improving public safety, critics argue it is redundant and raises concerns about potential