Orange County Mayor debates suing federal government

Jerry Demings said the federal government is putting a burden on local governments by failing to adequately compensate them for costs associated with housing ICE detainees.

By Leticia Silva
| 4:38 p.m. February 4, 2026

Southwest Orange
News

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings is considering filing a lawsuit against the federal government.

According to him, the federal government reimburses Orange County $88 per ICE detainee per day, while the cost to house them at the county jail is roughly $180 daily.

"They are not adequately reimbursing us at this point for holding the inmates we have been holding," Demings said in a press conference. "It is unfair to local governments to put the burden of holding ICE detainees on local governments. That has to change."

He also mentioned ICE's "struggles" to deport people quickly, which in turn, affects local taxpayers as the detainees get rebooked into the jail.

Demings said he will give an update on whether or not he will be seeking legal action at the County Commission meeting Tuesday, Feb. 10.

author

Leticia Silva

Staff writer Leticia Silva is a graduate from the University of Central Florida. As a child, her dream was to become a journalist. Now, her dream is a reality. On her free time she enjoys beach trips, trying new restaurants and spending time with her family and dog.