Key West reverses stance and reinstates ICE collaboration
- Key West commissioners voted 4-2 to reinstate collaboration with ICE's 287(g) agreement after previously voting to void it a week earlier.
- The reversal followed significant pressure from the DeSantis administration, which threatened legal consequences for non-compliance.
- The decision reflects ongoing tensions around immigration policies in Florida, impacting community dynamics and local law enforcement roles.
In the United States, specifically in Key West, Florida, the city commissioners recently reversed their decision to end cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) by reinstating a federal immigration enforcement agreement called the 287(g) program. This change occurred on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, during a commission vote that went 4-2 in favor of collaboration with federal immigration enforcement, following a previous decision made just a week earlier that had voted 6-1 to void the agreement. The initial vote to terminate the 287(g) agreement faced strong backlash from state leaders, primarily Governor Ron DeSantis and Attorney General James Uthmeier, who stated that the city violated state law with their decision. The controversy began after Key West commissioners, facing intense criticism and potential repercussions from state officials, scheduled an emergency meeting to rectify the earlier decision. The impetus for this reversal was a clear warning issued by Uthmeier, who implied that there could be civil and criminal penalties for commissioners if they did not restore the agreement. Local commissioner Lissette Carey emphasized the need to align with state and federal laws and uphold the community's safety. The issue has polarizing implications, given that a substantial population of immigrants resides in Key West, including many of Venezuelan descent. Carey mentioned that while some residents opposed the initial decision to void the ICE partnership, many lawful immigrants expressed discontent with the commission's action. Their concerns indicate a belief that maintaining the cooperation with immigration authorities might enhance public trust and safety within their community. The ongoing debate reflects broader tensions surrounding immigration policy in Florida. The state administration under Governor DeSantis has been proactive in pushing for expanded local law enforcement collaboration with federal immigration officials, seeking to enforce immigration laws more stringently. Currently, all sheriff's offices in Florida participate in the 287(g) program, which deputizes local law enforcement to help enforce immigration laws, including stopping, questioning, and arresting individuals potentially residing unlawfully in the country. This reinstatement of cooperation in Key West marks a significant moment in the state’s immigration policy landscape and is likely to continue provoking discussions about the role of local law enforcement in immigration enforcement, the rights of immigrant communities, and the political pressures faced by local governments in relation to state policy.