Florida’s Republican Attorney General James Uthmeier issued a stern warning Wednesday to city officials in Key West, accusing the commission of violating state law by voting to terminate a formal partnership with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The vote, taken earlier this month, canceled Key West’s participation in the 287(g) program.
The federally authorized agreement empowers local law enforcement to perform certain immigration enforcement functions.
But under Florida law, cities are required to assist federal immigration enforcement, and the move could carry steep legal consequences.
In a letter sent to Key West commissioners, Uthmeier reminded city leaders that Florida law “unequivocally forbids sanctuary policies.”
By voiding an active 287(g) agreement, Key West had effectively declared itself a “sanctuary” jurisdiction.
“Failure to take corrective action will result in enforcement of all applicable civil and criminal penalties, including removal from office,” Uthmeier wrote.
The attorney general said Florida law not only prohibits sanctuary city policies but also obligates local governments to use their “best efforts” to support the enforcement of federal immigration law.
“In this instance, however, it’s worse,” Uthmeier said.
“The Commission didn’t merely prevent the Police Department from entering a 287(g) agreement; it affirmatively voided an existing 287(g) agreement under which the Police Department was actively operating.
“Bad policy and illegal.”
Uthmeier highlighted a series of recent arrests in the Florida Keys to underscore the importance of local-federal immigration cooperation.
In March, ten illegal aliens, all of whom were convicted sex offenders, were arrested in the region.
A month later, Border Patrol agents arrested two additional illegal aliens, one with a violent criminal record and another with a history of animal abuse.
The 287(g) program is a voluntary agreement between federal immigration authorities and state or local law enforcement agencies.
But in Florida, the arrangement is reinforced by state statute requiring jurisdictions to assist ICE efforts wherever possible.
“Florida law unequivocally forbids sanctuary policies,” Uthmeier wrote.
“And it requires local governments to use ‘best efforts’ to assist with federal immigration law.
“Your recent action violated both laws.
“Failure to take corrective action will result in enforcement of all applicable civil and criminal penalties, including removal from office.”
The letter from Uthmeier follows a similar episode in Fort Myers earlier this year.
Initially, the Fort Myers City Council declined to approve a 287(g) agreement for its police department, citing mixed public feedback.
However, after warnings from both Governor Ron DeSantis and Uthmeier, the council ultimately reversed course and approved the partnership.
Uthmeier’s action signals that the DeSantis administration remains committed to hardline immigration enforcement, even at the local level, and that cities attempting to curtail cooperation with federal authorities could face swift legal pushback.
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