Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier threatens to remove Key West city officials from office after they defied state law by terminating their agreement with ICE, effectively declaring themselves a sanctuary city for illegal immigrants.
Key Takeaways
- Key West commissioners voted to end their partnership with ICE’s 287(g) program, which Florida AG Uthmeier says violates state law prohibiting sanctuary cities.
- Uthmeier warned officials they face civil and criminal penalties, including potential removal from office, if they don’t reinstate cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
- Florida law explicitly mandates that local governments must assist federal authorities in enforcing immigration laws.
- Recent arrests of illegal aliens with criminal histories in the Florida Keys region underscores the public safety concerns behind the state’s stance.
- A similar situation in Fort Myers was resolved when officials reversed course and approved participation in the 287(g) program after warnings from state leadership.
Key West Defies Florida Law by Ending ICE Agreement
The city of Key West has landed in the crosshairs of Florida’s Attorney General after commissioners recently voted to terminate their cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) through the federal 287(g) program. This program enables local law enforcement to perform certain immigration enforcement duties that are typically reserved for federal authorities. By ending this agreement, Key West has effectively established itself as a sanctuary city, directly contradicting Florida state law that explicitly prohibits such designations and requires local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
Attorney General James Uthmeier didn’t mince words in his response to Key West’s action, stating in an official letter that their decision places them in direct violation of state law. “Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier (R) is putting the city of Key West on notice after commissioners recently voted to end their partnership with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, through the 287(g) program, despite legal requirements in place under state law,” stated James Uthmeier, Florida Attorney General.
Serious Consequences Await Non-Compliance
The Attorney General made it abundantly clear that Key West officials face significant consequences if they fail to reverse course. In his stern warning, Uthmeier outlined that by declaring “The police Department’s existing 287(g) agreement void, Key West made itself a sanctuary city,” said James Uthmeier, Florida Attorney General.This designation directly violates Florida law, which was strengthened in 2019 when Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation explicitly banning sanctuary jurisdictions and mandating local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
The consequences for defiance are not merely theoretical. Uthmeier warned in no uncertain terms: “Failure to take corrective action will result in enforcement of all applicable civil and criminal penalties, including removal from office,” declared James Uthmeier, Florida Attorney General. This stark ultimatum underscores the seriousness with which Florida’s state government views immigration enforcement and compliance with state law, particularly at a time when border security remains a critical national concern under President Trump’s administration.
Public Safety Concerns Cited in AG’s Warning
In justifying the state’s position, Uthmeier pointed to concrete public safety concerns, specifically highlighting recent arrests in the Florida Keys region involving illegal aliens with criminal histories. This practical application of immigration enforcement demonstrates the real-world implications of sanctuary policies, which can hamper the ability of law enforcement to identify and detain individuals who pose potential threats to community safety. The Attorney General’s emphasis on these arrests serves to illustrate that the state’s stance is not merely political posturing but addresses genuine public safety issues.
“The City of Key West violated state law when they voted to void the Key West Police Department’s 287(g) agreement with ICE. We will not allow this unlawful sanctuary policy in Florida. They have a choice: stop impeding law enforcement from enforcing immigration law or face the consequences,” stated James Uthmeier, Florida Attorney General.
Key West Officials Defend Their Position
City officials in Key West have attempted to justify their decision by citing concerns about the potential impact on their community, particularly regarding asylum seekers. Commissioner Samuel Kaufman expressed opposition to the agreement, emphasizing the city’s diverse population. “People who are seeking political asylum are important members of our community. We have thousands of them here, by the way. And they deserve the respect that anybody else does,” said Commissioner Samuel Kaufman.
Additionally, City Attorney Kendall Harden has claimed that the agreement was void due to a lack of formal approval. However, the Attorney General’s office has dismissed these justifications, maintaining that regardless of the procedural arguments, state law unequivocally requires local law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. The underlying message from Tallahassee remains clear: no local jurisdiction in Florida has the authority to designate itself as a sanctuary for illegal immigrants, regardless of their stated intentions or procedural claims.
Precedent for Compliance
This is not the first time Florida’s state leadership has confronted a local government over immigration enforcement cooperation. A similar situation occurred in Fort Myers, where the city council initially voted against participating in the 287(g) program. However, following warnings from Governor DeSantis and Attorney General Uthmeier, Fort Myers officials reversed course and approved participation in the program. This precedent suggests that Key West officials may ultimately follow suit rather than face the severe penalties outlined in Uthmeier’s warning.
As the situation develops, it highlights the ongoing tension between state authority and local governance when it comes to immigration enforcement. Florida’s aggressive stance on requiring local cooperation with federal immigration authorities reflects the state’s commitment to enforcing immigration laws and maintaining public safety under the leadership of Governor DeSantis, a close ally of President Trump. The outcome of this standoff will likely set an important precedent for other jurisdictions in Florida considering similar actions.
