Florida’s Attorney General threatens to remove Orlando’s Mayor from office for creating a sanctuary city haven for illegal immigrants, directly defying state law and the Governor’s orders.
At a Glance
- Florida AG James Uthmeier has warned Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer he could be removed from office for enforcing the city’s “Trust Act” sanctuary policy
- The 2018 “Trust Act” prohibits city employees and police from inquiring about immigration status, which violates Florida’s 2019 anti-sanctuary city law
- Dyer claims Orlando complies with state law and has an agreement with ICE, but continues promoting policies that shield illegal immigrants
- AG Uthmeier has made it clear that “sanctuary policies are not tolerated or lawful in Florida” and will face consequences
Another Liberal Mayor Thinks He’s Above the Law
It’s the same old story playing out in cities across America: Liberal mayors think they can pick and choose which laws to follow while creating safe havens for illegal immigrants. Now Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer has landed himself in hot water with Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier for attempting to enforce the city’s 2018 “Trust Act” – a thinly veiled sanctuary city policy that prohibits city employees and police officers from inquiring about a person’s immigration status. The only problem? That policy was rendered null and void by Florida state law in 2019.
During an April 7 Orlando City Council meeting, Dyer reportedly declared that the Orlando Police Department would not proactively enforce immigration laws and would follow the Trust Act instead. This blatant defiance of state law caught the attention of AG Uthmeier, who wasted no time sending a strongly worded letter to the mayor reminding him that enforcing such policies is illegal in Florida and could result in severe consequences – including removal from office by Governor Ron DeSantis.
Florida Takes a Stand Against Sanctuary Cities
Unlike the Biden administration, which has completely abandoned our southern border and encouraged the flow of millions of illegal immigrants into our communities, Florida has taken a strong stance against sanctuary policies. In 2019, Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation prohibiting sanctuary cities in the state – a law that directly conflicts with Orlando’s “Trust Act.” AG Uthmeier made the state’s position crystal clear in his letter to Mayor Dyer.
“Sanctuary policies are not tolerated or lawful in Florida. Failure to abide by state law may result in the enforcement of applicable penalties, including but not limited to being held in contempt, declaratory or injunctive relief, and removal from office by the Governor.” – James Uthmeier.
This isn’t just political posturing – Uthmeier has the legal authority to initiate proceedings that could ultimately result in Dyer being removed from his position. It’s refreshing to see state officials standing firm against local officials who think they can create their own immigration policies in defiance of state law. Cities don’t get to opt out of laws they don’t like, especially when those laws are designed to protect citizens from the consequences of unchecked illegal immigration.
Mayor’s Damage Control Falls Flat
Realizing he’s now in the crosshairs of state officials who actually enforce the law, Mayor Dyer has attempted to backpedal, claiming that Orlando respects both Florida and federal immigration laws. He even provided documentation showing that Orlando police officers are receiving training to assist ICE through a 287(g) agreement. But his actions speak louder than words, and his public advocacy for the Trust Act directly contradicts these claims.
“sanctuary policies are not tolerated or lawful in Florida” – Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier.
It’s worth noting that Dyer has been recognized by the NBA as a “social justice game changer” – a designation that tells you everything you need to know about his political priorities. Rather than focusing on the safety and security of Orlando residents, he’s more concerned with virtue signaling to his progressive base by shielding illegal immigrants from federal immigration authorities. This is exactly the kind of reckless governance that Governor DeSantis and AG Uthmeier are fighting against in Florida.
Upholding the Rule of Law
This clash between state and local authorities in Florida exemplifies the broader battle being waged across America between those who believe in enforcing our immigration laws and those who think illegal immigration should be accommodated and even encouraged. While sanctuary city proponents claim they’re acting out of compassion, they conveniently ignore the very real costs imposed on communities by illegal immigration – increased strain on public services, potential public safety risks, and the undermining of legal immigration processes.
Kudos to Florida’s leadership for standing firm on this issue and reminding local officials that in our constitutional system, state law trumps local ordinances. If Mayor Dyer wants to create immigration policy, perhaps he should run for Congress instead of trying to establish his own mini-jurisdiction where federal and state immigration laws don’t apply. Florida residents deserve officials who uphold the law rather than selectively enforce it based on progressive ideological preferences.
