Orange County mayor gives feds deadline to resolve reimbursement issues

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

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.

Since August of 2025, Demings has sent two letters to the U.S. Marshals Service requesting to renegotiate their Intergovernmental Services Agreement, which includes reimbursement rates. 

On Friday, Feb. 13, Demings sent a third letter to U.S. Grants Specialist Aisha Ogburn, requesting her immediate action to fairly resolve their contract negotiations by Friday, March 13. 

If not, Orange County intends to conclude negotiations with the USMS, and will consider terminating their IGSA. 

"My responsibility to the people of Orange County, Florida, is to ensure our citizens are fairly represented under the terms of our agreement with the federal government," Demings wrote.