DeSantis Drops the Hammer: Orlando Mayor Faces Removal Over Sanctuary Policies
DeSantis Administration Takes Aim at Orlando’s Sanctuary Policies
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has formally warned Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer that Governor Ron DeSantis may remove him from office for advocating policies that shield illegal immigrants. The controversy revolves around Orlando’s implementation of the Trust Act, passed in 2018, which prohibits city employees and law enforcement from inquiring about individuals’ immigration status.
In a sharply worded letter posted on X, Uthmeier stated, “By prohibiting law enforcement officers from inquiring about a person’s immigration status, the City of Orlando is unlawfully implementing a sanctuary policy and blatantly violating the law.” The Attorney General emphasized that Florida law explicitly authorizes law enforcement to collect immigration status information without hindrance from local governments.
Mayor Dyer Responds to Removal Threat
Mayor Dyer, who has served Orlando for over 20 years and was re-elected in November 2023 for what he announced would be his final term, quickly responded to the allegations. He stated that he takes immigration enforcement “very seriously” and does not “have any intention of violating federal or state law.”
The Democratic mayor further promised to “continue to use our best efforts to support the enforcement of federal immigration law, as well as state law.” This response comes as Dyer attempts to navigate the complex political landscape of being a Democratic mayor in a predominantly Republican state with increasingly strict immigration enforcement demands.
Broader Implications for Immigration Enforcement in Florida
The confrontation between DeSantis and Dyer represents the latest chapter in Florida’s aggressive approach to immigration enforcement under Republican leadership. Orlando stands as a liberal stronghold in Florida, making it a natural flashpoint for such conflicts between state and local governance philosophies.
Florida law now provides significant penalties for officials who implement sanctuary city policies, including the governor’s authority to remove elected officials from office. This case could establish a precedent for similar actions against other Democratic-led municipalities in Florida that may resist full cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
The DeSantis administration has previously demonstrated a willingness to remove elected officials, as seen with the suspension of State Attorney Monique Worrell from Orlando’s judicial circuit in August 2023. These actions reflect the governor’s commitment to enforcing state laws regarding immigration and public safety, even when it means challenging locally elected officials.
Posts
