NewsWUSF — Tampa Bay NPR (Local & State)August 16, 2026Hillsborough County
Florida law enforcement collects and uploads personal data of suspected undocumented individuals to state database
Photo: WUSF — Tampa Bay NPR (Local & State)
Florida law enforcement officers are gathering personal information, including names, photographs, and addresses, from individuals suspected of being undocumented. This data is being uploaded into a centralized state-run database.
Read the full story at WUSF — Tampa Bay NPR (Local & State)Why It Matters
Residents suspected of being face the collection and storage of their personal identifying information in a state-wide system accessible to law enforcement.
Key Facts
- Florida law enforcement officers are actively collecting personal data on individuals suspected of being undocumented.
- Collected data includes names, photographs, and residential addresses.
- The gathered information is uploaded to a centralized state-wide database.
- The scope of individuals targeted includes a broad range of demographics, described as including grandmothers, landscapers, and children.
Who's Mentioned
PersonRon DeSantis“Governor of Florida”PersonPaul Chavez“Attorney for Americans for Immigrant Justice”locationFlorida“The state where the data collection is occurring.”PersonJean Gustave“Haitian man with temporary protected status detained during a traffic stop”PersonBob Gualtieri“Pinellas County Sheriff and board member”OrganizationState Board of Immigration Enforcement“Oversees Florida's immigration enforcement efforts”PersonMatthew Blackwell“Manatee County Sheriff’s deputy”OrganizationICE“Federal immigration enforcement agency”PersonMelissa Bujeda“FDLE official”OrganizationFlorida Department of Law Enforcement“Manages the immigration surveillance database”