Orange County Limits ICE Detainees at Local Jail

Mayor Jerry Demings cites staffing and space constraints in new policy changes.

Feb. 4, 2026 at 4:07pm

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Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings has issued a letter to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announcing new limits on the number of ICE detainees that can be housed at the Orange County Correctional Facility. Demings cited concerns over staffing, building space, and operational resources as the reasons behind the changes, which are set to take effect on March 1.

Why it matters

The move by Orange County highlights the ongoing tensions between local governments and federal immigration enforcement agencies over the housing of detainees. As more cities and counties push back against open-ended ICE detention agreements, it reflects a broader debate over the role of local authorities in supporting federal immigration policies.

The details

Under the current agreement, the Orange County Correctional Facility (OCCD) is expected to house an estimated 94 men and 20 women daily for the U.S. Marshals Service and ICE. However, Demings stated that the "volume of ICE detainees housed at OCCD has materially exceeded levels consistent with these terms, which has placed a sustained strain on staffing, building space, and operational resources." To address these issues, the OCCD will implement the following measures starting on March 1: limiting the number of new ICE detainees accepted, prioritizing space for U.S. Marshals Service inmates, and discontinuing the practice of continuously booking ICE detainees.

  • On February 4, 2026, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings issued a letter to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
  • The new measures are set to be implemented starting on March 1, 2026.

The players

Jerry Demings

The mayor of Orange County, Florida, who issued the letter to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security regarding the changes to ICE detainee housing at the Orange County Correctional Facility.

Orange County Correctional Facility (OCCD)

The county jail in Orange County, Florida, which has been housing ICE detainees under an agreement with the federal government.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

The federal agency that oversees immigration enforcement, including ICE, and received the letter from Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings.

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What they’re saying

“We believe these measures are necessary to preserve safe operations, ensure appropriate allocation of staffing and space, and maintain an efficient jail environment for Orange County residents while continuing to support federal immigration enforcement within the parameters of the (agreement).”

— Jerry Demings, Orange County Mayor

What’s next

The changes announced by Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings are set to take effect on March 1, 2026. It remains to be seen how the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will respond to the new limits on ICE detainee housing at the Orange County Correctional Facility.

The takeaway

This decision by Orange County highlights the ongoing challenges faced by local governments in balancing their resources and priorities with the demands of federal immigration enforcement. As more cities and counties seek to limit their involvement in housing ICE detainees, it signals a growing tension between local and federal authorities over immigration policy.