Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia handed over reimbursement funds to Brevard County law enforcement agencies on February 27, 2026, during a ceremony in Cocoa Beach. The funds come from the State Board of Immigration Enforcement and are intended to support the 287g program, which allows local police to collaborate with federal immigration authorities. Sheriff Wayne Ivey attended the event alongside Cocoa Beach Police Chief Chris Kuehn and Indialantic Police Chief Mike Connor.
The reimbursement program covers costs incurred by agencies when they assist federal immigration enforcement, such as detaining undocumented immigrants during arrests. Ingoglia emphasized the state's commitment to enforcing immigration laws during the ceremony. 'This funding helps local agencies partner with federal authorities to remove individuals who are in the country illegally,' he said.
Sheriff Ivey thanked Ingoglia's office for facilitating the program. 'Working with federal partners through the 287g program allows us to keep our communities safe while upholding national immigration laws,' Ivey stated. The funds will be used for training, equipment, and administrative costs related to immigration enforcement.
The 287g program, established in 2002, authorizes local law enforcement to perform immigration-related duties under federal supervision. Brevard County agencies have participated in the program for over a decade. Ingoglia's office said the reimbursement funds are distributed annually based on agencies' participation and costs.
The event took place at the Cocoa Beach Police Department headquarters. No specific amounts were disclosed, but previous reimbursements for Brevard agencies have ranged between $200,000 and $300,000 annually. Both Kuehn and Connor said the funding helps offset the financial burden of immigration-related operations.