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In a decision that has shaken the political landscape in Florida, the city of Key West voted on June 30 to sever all ties with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), canceling the agreement known as 287(g) that allowed local police to act as an extension of the federal immigration system.
Six of the seven commissioners supported the measure, which not only nullifies the existing agreement but also prohibits future similar agreements. The session, lasting over two hours, was filled with residents who applauded the decision while wearing shirts that read: “Migrants keep this island alive.”
The commissioner Samuel Kaufman, one of the main advocates of the initiative, summed it up bluntly: “Those seeking political asylum are important members of our community. We have thousands of them here, by the way. And they deserve the same respect as anyone else.”
In a clear sign of rejection of the anti-immigrant agenda of Governor Ron DeSantis and President Donald Trump, local elected officials made it clear that they would not collaborate with mass deportation policies that fracture families and criminalize poverty.
The municipal attorney Kendall Harden also clarified that the agreement with ICE had been implemented without prior official voting, making its legitimacy questionable.
The attorney general threatens with sanctions and dismissals
The response from the state power came swiftly. Florida's Attorney General, James Uthmeier, sent a letter to the Key West commissioners threatening civil and criminal penalties, and even their removal from office if they do not restore the agreement with ICE.
“You have a choice: stop preventing law enforcement from enforcing immigration law or face the consequences”, Uthmeier wrote on his X account.
The prosecutor argued that the city violated state law by nullifying the agreement, and reminded that a legislation signed by DeSantis in 2019 explicitly prohibits the creation of "sanctuary cities" in Florida. This year, the governor further intensified the regulations, forcing law enforcement agencies to cooperate directly with ICE.
Uthmeier, the principal advocate of the controversial Alligator Alcatraz detention center, also stirred fear by highlighting recent cases of undocumented immigrants with criminal records being arrested in the Florida Keys, asserting that "these brutal incidents clearly demonstrate the danger posed by foreign criminals."
However, human rights organizations and local residents assert that these cases, although serious, do not represent the vast majority of migrants, many of whom are Cuban, Haitian, and Central American, who live peacefully, work in essential sectors, and enrich the life of the island.
Frequently Asked Questions about Key West's Break with ICE and Its Implications
Why did the city of Key West decide to break ties with ICE?
Key West voted in favor of breaking its ties with ICE because the commissioners believe that mass deportation policies fracture families and criminalize poverty. The measure seeks to protect migrants, who are an essential part of the local community, and was supported by the majority of the commissioners and residents.
What are the possible legal consequences of Key West's decision?
The Florida Attorney General, James Uthmeier, has threatened civil and criminal penalties, and even the dismissal of commissioners if they do not reinstate the agreement with ICE. Uthmeier alleges that the city of Key West violated the state law that prohibits "sanctuary cities."
What is the 287(g) agreement that Key West canceled?
The 287(g) agreement allows local police to act as federal immigration agents, collaborating with ICE in the identification and detention of undocumented immigrants. This program has been the subject of controversy due to the role it assigns to local forces in the enforcement of federal immigration policies.
How has Governor Ron DeSantis reacted to Key West's decision?
Governor Ron DeSantis has been a strong advocate for cooperation between local and federal forces regarding immigration. He has threatened to suspend local officials who do not cooperate with ICE, as part of his policy to not allow "sanctuary cities" in Florida.
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