Civil rights organisations in Florida moved on Saturday to challenge a sprawling immigration database maintained by county sheriffs after reporting revealed that landscapers, grandmothers and children had been logged during routine encounters. The groups filed public records requests seeking details of the system's scope and oversight.

The database, operated in cooperation with federal immigration authorities and county law enforcement including the Manatee County Sheriff's Office, has drawn scrutiny for capturing personal information during traffic stops and other minor interactions. Advocates said some entries involved US citizens or people with lawful status, raising questions about accuracy and due process.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida and immigrant advocacy coalitions said they were reviewing whether collection practices violated state privacy protections and federal constitutional guarantees. They demanded disclosure of how records were shared with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and how long data was retained.

Florida officials have defended the practice as a lawful tool for cooperation with federal enforcement under state directives championed by Governor Ron DeSantis. A Manatee County Sheriff's Office spokesperson said deputies acted within the law and that data collection supported public safety efforts.

Legal analysts at the University of Miami School of Law said the dispute could test the limits of state and local participation in immigration enforcement, particularly where citizens and lawful residents are affected. Hearings and further filings were expected in the coming weeks.