City Commissioner Jeremy Matlow “Disgusted” by Gaines Street Arrests

In response to the arrests of more than 100 undocumented immigrants on Thursday at Tallahassee construction sites on Gaines Street, City Commissioner and mayoral candidate Jeremy Matlow stated on social media that he was “disgusted” by the actions taken by various law enforcement agencies.

Matlow stated, “Disgusted to see men in black ski masks pulling up to job sites and harassing people who showed up to put in a hard days work.

Media reports indicate that ICE officials use masks to protect their identities and the integrity of investigations. By concealing their faces, they can avoid being recognized by individuals they are investigating or working with, preventing them from becoming targets of harassment or violence.

The Leon County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that multiple people detained at the Gaines Street construction site are facing pending criminal charges.

Matlow also commented on the failure of the federal government to address the immigration issue.

Matlow stated, “The failure of the federal government to streamline immigration for working people is on full display and we are all expected to pay the price as the shockwaves ripple through our entire economy.”

Business leaders have recently urged the Trump administration to add more work visas amid fears of labor shortages created by the president’s enforcement of immigration laws.

“We need action, not rhetoric,” George Carrillo, the CEO of the Hispanic Construction Council, told Newsweek. “First, expand the H-2B visa program. The 62,000 visas available are laughably inadequate when industries like construction need between 700,000 and 900,000 workers to meet demand. Second, create work visa pathways for immigrant workers who have been holding our economy together for decades.”

Steve Stewart

Steve Stewart is the founder and editor of Tallahassee Reports which began in 2009 as an online blog. Steve received a Bachelors Degree from Clemson University in 1984 and a Masters degree in Political Science from FSU in 1990. He has been involved with state and local politics since arriving in Tallahassee in 1989.

View all posts by Steve Stewart →

11 Comments

  1. Beppo
    Beppo

    Everyone's glee aside, stand by for increased taxes to cover the inflation cost of delayed projects.

  2. Erickson
    Erickson

    Don't feel sorry for these people. This has been an invasion over the years and this will help to put a stop to it. Any pol who doesn't like this should be voted out of office.

  3. August West
    August West

    Democrats like Jeremy Matlow always defend illegal aliens, when was the last time you heard him stand up for proud Americans with the same vigor?

    I'm guessing never...

  4. David T. Hawkins
    David T. Hawkins

    Soon we might just find out how many illegals are making Pizza in Tallahassee.

  5. Edward Lyle
    Edward Lyle

    I could add to the discussion... but PRR, WW, TP, Rusty, and Criminole have covered it quite succinctly.

  6. Criminole
    Criminole

    I would also be “Disgusted” if I found out that we had people here ignoring the law for over six years not paying taxes...
    Notice in the videos, a good number were not detained because, you know, they are here legally...

  7. Maria
    Maria

    Well, guess who I'm NOT voting for.

  8. Rusty
    Rusty

    Congressman Neal Dunn, please file the following bill: "The H visa program is hereby repealed."

  9. Tally Patriot
    Tally Patriot

    This article tells you all you need to know about Matlow. He doesn’t care about the Fact that these Illegals have committed heinous crimes against our citizens. All he cares about is losing voters. Matlow is pathetic.

  10. William_Wallace
    William_Wallace

    So Matlow doesn't like law enforcement enforcing the law, got it. Most of the FHP and LCSO personnel I saw did not have ski masks.

  11. Proud Rural Redneck
    Proud Rural Redneck

    What Matlow is really saying is, he doesn’t like his future supporters/voters being arrested.

💬

Join the Conversation

Commenting is a benefit of your Tallahassee Reports subscription. Subscribe for $4.99/month or $50/year to participate.

Your subscription also unlocks our full archive, print e-editions, and supports local independent journalism.

Scroll to Top