From HOPE CommUnity Center
Immigrants marked for deportation are vanishing from Orange County jail records, making it impossible for family members, attorneys, or advocates to track their whereabouts or well-being. On Tuesday, June 3rd, the Immigrants Are Welcome Here coalition, comprising more than 30 grassroots organizations, including the Hope CommUnity Center, will appear before the Orange County Board of County Commissioners to demand action.
At issue is a provision in Orange County Corrections’ contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Once an individual is placed under an ICE hold, their name is removed from the public jail database, even if they remain in county custody for hours, days, or even weeks.
The coalition argues that this practice is not required by law, but rather a discretionary measure built into the ICE agreement. By effectively erasing people from official records, they say the policy undermines constitutional protections and due process.
Loved ones are often left in a state of confusion and fear, unable to find out whether a person has been transferred, deported, or remains detained. Legal representation can also be hampered, as attorneys are unable to confirm a client’s custody status.
The coalition is urging county leaders to revise the ICE contract language, restore public tracking of detainees, and ensure local government is not enabling secrecy and potential rights violations.
Advocates argue that this lack of transparency renders Orange County complicit in federal overreach. In 2025 alone, U.S. courts have ruled against at least 180 ICE enforcement actions due to due process violations.
The public is encouraged to attend the June 3rd commission meeting at 8:30 a.m., held at the County Administration Building, 201 S Rosalind Ave, Orlando.
Editor's Note: This article was produced with the assistance of ChatGPT, an AI language model, to help with content, research, drafting, and editing. All content has been reviewed and verified for accuracy by The Apopka Voice editorial team.
