The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office will no longer force immigrants to stay in jail.



According to partner newspaper the Tampa Bay Times, Pinellas Sheriff Bob Gualtieri decided this week that he will allow arrested immigrants who can post bail to leave jail.



The move comes even though U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency wants them detained.



The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office sent a letter to ICE saying it would no longer honor the holds unless the agency could provide probable cause like a warrant or deportation order.



In the past, the jail would hold immigrants for two days as a courtesy to federal officials while they investigated whether they wanted to try to deport the inmate.



Gualtieri said he is concerned that ICE may be overstepping its legal authority.



The sheriffs in Pasco and Hernando counties had previously decided the same thing. The Hillsborough Sheriff's Office is still holding immigrants at the request of ICE.



