Immigrant rights groups are urging the government not to inquire about anyone's immigration status at shelters that have opened in advance of Hurricane Irma.
The Florida Immigrant Coalition urged Florida Gov. Rick Scott on Thursday to issue a statement saying the state welcomes people into shelters without checking IDs.
Advocacy groups say immigrants are fearful after Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd posted a Twitter message saying that officers will be checking IDs to keep sex offenders away from families.
The coalition said in a statement that this "is not a moment to incite fear in the hearts of our communities."
The American Civil Liberties Union's Florida chapter also weighed in, suggesting Judd "should be working to prepare his community, not burnishing his Joe Arpaio-style 'tough cop' credentials with a series of irresponsible tweets."
Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez said officials there won't be asking for identification.