The newly formed Florida council aimed at advising the Cabinet on federal and state partnerships to ramp up deportations, is calling for federal policy changes to assist in the effort. The State Immigration Enforcement Council met for the first time in Pinellas County Monday. The 8-member team was created after Governor Ron DeSantis signed new legislation earlier this year to crack down on illegal immigration and to support the Trump administration’s mass deportation plans. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd who serves as chair, opened the meeting by highlighting a series of federal hurdles and policy changes he says are needed for local law enforcement to better assist ICE with immigration enforcement. “It cannot be overstated that ICE must modify its current policy and create proactive rules allowing local and state law enforcement for to help ICE reach their full potential to resolve the immigration crisis,” Judd said, adding it may take additional executive orders by President Trump. Among the changes he says are necessary, making sure all ICE deportation orders and warrants are readily accessible at the local level, and to find ways to expand available beds to house detainees. “Lack of capacity is one of the biggest problems we see currently,” said Judd. Leaders also want to fast-track the process deputies can get certified to act as federal immigration officers. All 67 of Florida’s Sheriff Offices and several other city agencies have signed on to 287g agreements, as the Department of Homeland Security aims to expand immigration “task forces,” which were started after 9/11 but disbanded more than a decade ago. The task forces will allow local and state law enforcement officers to train and work alongside ICE to identify and remove illegal immigrants. The certification grants officers authority to serve warrants, question, arrest and detain suspected illegal immigrants. Some FHP troopers have undergone the necessary training (which was recently expedited to a 40 hour course), but Pinellas Sheriff Bob Gualtieri says deputies across the state are still working to get the necessary certification from DHS and ICE.