Will I Get Deported After a DUI in Palm Beach County?

The new administration has ushered in a much stricter immigration policy, and its effects are being felt by numerous Florida residents. The threat of deportation is greater than ever, and a simple mistake could force you to leave the country. But what about a DUI? Could this offense really result in your deportation? If you’re facing this issue, you might want to consider a consultation with a Palm Beach County deportation defense lawyer.

Local Law Enforcement Has Been Instructed to Cooperate With ICE

The new administration requires all local law enforcement to cooperate with ICE, and this means that ICE could be alerted by authorities in Palm Beach County after your DUI arrest.  According to a recent article by the Miami Herald, the Florida government is instructing all Highway Patrol troopers to arrest and detain any undocumented migrants who commit driving offenses. This includes not only DUI, but also driving without a license and less serious violations.

Governor DeSantis has even stated that state troopers could theoretically arrest and detain undocumented migrants after traffic stops – even if they have not committed any crime while in the country. Once the undocumented migrant is in jail, state troopers must inform ICE – which may then begin deportation proceedings.

Sheriff Ric Bradshaw Reassures Community Members Once Again 

While state troopers might be willing and authorized to detain undocumented migrants, the policy of local law enforcement in Palm Beach County is less clear. In April of 2025, Sheriff Ric Bradshaw once again reassured residents that he was not going to be overly draconian toward undocumented individuals. He specifically stated that “[The sheriff’s office] is not there to deport you.”

Ric Bradshaw did admit that if a deputy found that someone was already wanted by ICE during a traffic stop, that deputy could alert ICE. However, he stated that none of his deputies would be allowed to go around “stopping cars or stopping cars that are Hispanic” and checking for undocumented migrants.

Deportations After Simple DUIs vs. Aggravated DUIs 

Simple DUIs are less likely to lead to deportations. However, aggravated DUIs could rise to the level of “moral turpitude,” and these are deportable offenses. Examples include DUIs causing serious bodily injury or death, DUIs with child endangerment, DUIs with hit-and-runs, and so on.

Can a Deportation Defense Lawyer in Palm Beach County Help Me? 

If you’re facing the possibility of leaving the country due to a DUI, a Palm Beach County deportation defense lawyer may be able to help. Not all DUIs lead to deportation proceedings, and you may be able to avoid this issue with relative ease. That said, more serious DUI offenses could qualify as “crimes of moral turpitude,” and you may require a more active deportation defense strategy. To learn more, consider speaking with The Devore Law Group today.

Sources: 

miamiherald.com/news/local/immigration/article303196766.html

uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title8-section1227&num=0&edition=prelim