Marianna Police Department Gets Help To Battle Immigration

Marianna Fla. - The City of Marianna Police Department has been awarded a fully funded grant through the State Board of Immigration Enforcement. The grant will cover overtime costs and provide advanced equipment to help officers enforce immigration laws more effectively.

During Tuesday’s city commission meeting, members voted to approve the agreement between the police department and the state’s immigration enforcement board. They also authorized the purchase of five Rapid ID systems, handheld devices that capture biometric information such as fingerprints, which can be used to identify individuals who may be wanted or undocumented.

Captain Tyler Scarborough of the Marianna Police Department explained that the funding will enhance the department’s ongoing partnership with federal agencies. “This grant funds overtime and the equipment we’ll use during enforcement operations,” Scarborough said. “Our officers will work hand in hand with Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents through the 287(g) program, which authorizes local officers to participate in certain immigration enforcement activities.”

Scarborough said the initiative stems from a statewide effort launched under Governor Ron DeSantis to expand cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Marianna signed an agreement in February and applied for the grant shortly after the state made the opportunity available.

The department currently has four officers who have completed the 287(g) training program, which Scarborough said is offered either in person or virtually through Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Once officers complete that training, they are credentialed to assist ICE during enforcement operations both within Marianna and throughout Florida.

When asked about the focus of the program, Scarborough emphasized that the goal is public safety. “Our aim under this grant is to protect the citizens of Marianna from any undocumented immigrants who are violent,” he said. “That’s our main focus, violent individuals who are here illegally.”

He added that the Rapid ID systems will make it easier for officers to quickly determine whether a person is in the federal system. “The devices capture a fingerprint, and from there, we can tell whether someone is in the database,” Scarborough said. “It also gives us the information we need to turn over to ICE.”

The rollout is expected to begin within the next month, with training and operations continuing over the following several months. While some residents may have questions about the role of local law enforcement in immigration enforcement, Scarborough said the department is committed to operating within the scope of the law and focusing on community protection.

“This is about keeping our community safe,” he said. “We’ll use these tools and partnerships responsibly, always with the goal of serving and protecting Marianna.”