Florida has spent $1.4 billion in emergency funds on immigration enforcement — and wants $250 million more

Florida has spent $1.4 billion in emergency relief funds on immigration enforcement and is now asking lawmakers for another $250 million in budget authority. The new request lands with hurricane season underway, after emergency-management money has already been directed to immigration enforcement. Miami Herald

The $250 million request includes $187.84 million for immigration efforts and $62.16 million for public assistance. The Division of Emergency Management says it has used 68% of its annual allocation just three months into the budget year and needs authority to pay pending bills. Rep. Alex Andrade, a Republican on the Legislative Budget Commission, said he wanted answers from emergency-management officials before deciding whether to support the request. He called the total “a sporty amount.” Orlando Sentinel

ICE agent indicted over Minneapolis shooting

A federal indictment accuses ICE officer Christian Castro of lying to investigators about the January shooting of Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis during the Minneapolis immigration crackdown. Prosecutors had initially accused Sosa-Celis and another man of attacking an officer, but dropped those charges after video evidence raised questions about the officers’ account of the encounter. Politico, El País

Castro turned himself in to federal authorities Thursday and separately faces Minnesota charges of assault and false reporting in connection with the shooting. The federal charges were still sealed, according to the Associated Press; Castro is the first federal immigration officer prosecuted in connection with Operation Metro Surge. Associated Press

A federal judge can decide how long detention lasts

People challenging ICE detention in federal court face sharply different timelines depending on where their cases land. ProPublica reviewed more than 70,000 habeas cases filed since January 2025 and found that resolved cases in Mississippi’s Southern District had a median closure time of 92 days; in Louisiana, it was 89. In Minnesota, the median was 12 days. Some people were deported before a ruling, while others asked to be deported rather than wait in custody. ProPublica

A habeas petition is a separate request asking a federal judge whether the government has legal authority to keep someone in custody. It does not decide the underlying immigration case or guarantee release, but it forces the government to defend the detention in court. Brennan Center, American Immigration Council

Around the system

Delaware enacted new limits on civil-immigration enforcement by state and local authorities. The three laws bar civil arrests at specified state locations without a judicial order or advance notice; limit activity at schools, hospitals and houses of worship; and restrict detention based solely on an immigration detainer or civil warrant, with stated exceptions. The laws took effect immediately. CoastTV

A Chicago Public Schools custodian returned home after 42 days in ICE custody. Josue Pire-Hidalgo was detained at a routine immigration hearing and reunited with his family after his release; his attorney says he has TPS and a pending asylum application. ABC7 Chicago

School trustees in Santa Clara County, California, are opposing a proposed ICE facility outside Gilroy. More than 50 trustees from 27 districts signed a letter against it, construction is halted, and a court hearing is scheduled for September 8. San José Spotlight

An advocacy coalition reported 56 complaints from 49 people held at Aurora, Colorado’s GEO-operated ICE facility. The report alleges medical neglect, staff misconduct and poor food; GEO and DHS officials were not immediately available for comment. Sentinel Colorado

Florida’s Board of Governors approved a university-admissions rule that Telemundo 51 reports would bar people in the country unlawfully from enrolling in public universities. The vote was unanimous and without debate, despite opposition from students, faculty and education unions. Telemundo 51