Protesters Demand End to Immigrant Detentions Outside Pinellas Jail

Pinellas County Jail, Pinellas County, Florida, USA - On June 16, 2025, more than a hundred protesters gathered outside the Pinellas County Jail, reflecting a growing tide of dissent across the nation against the immigration enforcement policies of the Trump administration. This protest highlighted the ongoing immigration crackdown and Florida’s increasing collaboration with federal agents. The Pinellas County Jail, designated as a holding facility in the Tampa Bay area, detains immigrants suspected of being in the country illegally before they move to another center or are transferred to ICE custody, as reported by WUSF.

Many demonstrators were particularly concerned about the treatment and separation of families, as evidenced by Rosa Patishtan-Gomez’s recent detention. A mother of two, she was taken into custody while still nursing her 10-month-old daughter. Advocates argue that detaining nursing individuals contradicts ICE’s own policies. The heartbreaking reality is that, recently, another Tampa mother was detained and deported while still breastfeeding her one-year-old daughter. These stories fueled the protest, where attendees chanted, „no hate, no fear, immigrants are welcome here,“ and held signs bearing the names of local immigrants detained or deported.

Impact of Local Immigration Policies

The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office did not disclose the current number of individuals held on ICE detainers, but the jail boasts a total capacity of approximately 3,000 inmates. Sheriff Bob Gualtieri previously reported issues with overcrowding, mentioning that around 200 inmates were sleeping on the floor last month. However, the Sheriff’s Office now claims that jail capacity is stable.

With all 67 Florida counties now compliant with the 287(g) program, local law enforcement becomes more deeply intertwined with immigration enforcement. According to the Florida Sheriffs Association, this program aims to enhance public safety while allowing ICE-deputized deputies and correctional officers to better address illegal immigration. A coalition of sheriffs, including Pinellas County’s own, has been formed to support and guide local law enforcement in this initiative.

State and Federal Coordination

In tandem with local changes, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has instructed state law enforcement agencies to formalize their participation in immigration enforcement through Memoranda of Agreement with ICE. This effectively gives a range of law enforcement agencies, including the Florida Highway Patrol and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the authority to identify and detain undocumented immigrants, as detailed by Florida Governor’s Office.

These agreements aim to streamline the deportation process and enhance the capacity of state authorities to act on immigration laws. Law enforcement officials have been trained to perform duties related to immigration enforcement, such as arresting those unlawfully entering the U.S. and serving warrants for immigration violations. As the debate intensifies, the community’s outcry demonstrates a palpable concern regarding the implications of these enforcement policies, echoing deeper societal anxieties about family separations and unjust deportations.

As immigrants and their advocates continue to challenge these policies, the events outside the Pinellas County Jail serve as a reminder of the human cost behind political agreements and the ongoing struggle for immigrant rights across Florida and beyond.