Critics are calling for an end to the Collier County Sheriff's Office's participation in a federal immigration program.
The 287 G program allows local police departments to detain suspected illegal immigrants for 48 hours until Immigration and Customs Enforcement can determine if those suspects should be deported.
The topic came up during a meeting of the Southwest Florida Justice 4 All Coalition.
Joe Moule attended the meeting and first became aware of 287 G after being pulled over by a deputy for a broken tail light.
"The officer was very polite, but told us we weren't the type he was looking for."
Critics like Moule say the program gives deputies a license to arrest anyone they think could be in the country illegally.
Collier ACLU President David Goldstein also opposes the program, but could not give Fox 4 an example of an immigrant targeted by law enforcement.
"There have been no people who have reported directly to the ACLU in Collier County, however there were articles in the paper of people who were picked up in routine traffic stops."
In a statement to Fox 4, Collier County Sheriff Kevin Rambosk said people are only asked about their immigration status after they are booked into jail.
"Our deputies in the community do not ask people their immigration status, nor do we as an agency conduct immigration sweeps," said the Sheriff.
According to an email from CCSO, 5,845 people were detained for federal agents in Collier since 2007. The Sheriff defended the program.
"We have implemented this program responsibly and we administer it fairly in accordance with the law. This program is the reason Collier is the safest metropolitan county in Florida."
Goldstein says he requested a meeting with the Sheriff about 287, but it was canceled after Goldstein was told he needed to meet with ICE officials.
