Jacksonville, FL Immigration Policy: Sanctuary Policy Preemption (2026)
Key Facts
- Chapter
- Ch. 605, enacted by Ord. 2025-147-E
- Mandate
- Sheriff must notify ICE and FDLE
- Minimum jail term
- 30 to 60 days mandatory
- Excluded areas
- 2nd-5th Urban Service Districts exempt
- Diversion
- No civil citation or diversion allowed
Summary
Jacksonville's Ordinance Code Chapter 605 criminalizes unauthorized entry into the city and requires the Sheriff to notify ICE and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement on every unauthorized-alien arrest, foreclosing any local sanctuary policy.
Upon making an arrest for a violation of this Section, the Sheriff shall:(1)Notify Immigration and Customs Enforcement of the United States Department of Homeland Security of the unauthorized alien's arrest and provide any known information relating to the unauthorized alien; and(2)Notify the Florida Department of Law Enforcement of the unauthorized alien's arrest and provide information relating to the unauthorized alien, which must include his or her fingerprints, photograph, and any other biometric information necessary to identify the unauthorized alien.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 6 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 605 of the Jacksonville Ordinance Code, adopted by Ord. 2025-147-E in 2025, makes it a local crime for an unauthorized alien to enter, reenter, or be found in the City after eluding immigration inspection or after a prior removal order, with mandatory jail terms of 30 to 60 days on top of civil penalties. Sections 605.102(g) and 605.103(f) require the arresting agency (the Sheriff for first-entry arrests) to notify U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement of the arrest, including biometric data. The chapter does not apply within the Second through Fifth Urban Service Districts.
Violations & Fines
First offense: Class B, mandatory 30-day jail term plus civil penalties. Repeat violations: Class C or D offenses with mandatory 60-day terms; no civil citation or diversion eligibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Jacksonville have a sanctuary city policy?
What is the penalty for illegal entry under the city ordinance?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Jacksonville
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Jacksonville to another location·View the Florida immigration policy overview
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