Florida official stunned to stand along as council defies immigration crackdown

Since before Trump took office, Governor Ron DeSantis has had Florida on board with Trump’s executive orders on immigration.

DeSantis issued his own orders, not to mention working in joint operations with the feds to remove illegals.

One city, however, has chosen to push back, and DeSantis is getting ready to drop the hammer.

Major Operation Launched

The Trump administration has had zero resistance in Florida to this point, even partnering up with the state to produce one of its most fruitful operations.

On May 1, 2025, Florida announced more than 1,000 arrests made. The release stated:

“U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, along with law enforcement partners from the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the state of Florida, led a first-of-its-kind statewide operation April 21 to April 26 that netted 1,120 criminal illegal alien arrests — the largest number in a single state in one week in ICE’s history. Sixty-three percent of those arrested had existing criminal arrests or convictions.

“Arrests included 378 criminal illegal aliens with final orders of removal issued by an immigration judge. Officers arrested various violent offenders, gang members, sex offenders, fugitives from justice and those who pose significant public safety threats. Arrests include members of several different notoriously violent foreign terrorist organizations such as MS-13, Tren de Aragua, Brown Pride Aztecas, Barrio Azteca, Surenos (sur-13) and 18th Street Gang.”

Don’t Mess with DeSantis

Recently, the city of Key West pushed back against the DeSantis immigration order, and DeSantis was pulling no punches.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier recently addressed the provision passed by the island city council, which broke the agreement between the state’s cities, DHS, and ICE.

He stated, "Florida law unequivocally forbids sanctuary cities.

"Failure to take corrective action will result in the enforcement of all applicable civil and criminal penalties, including removal from office by the governor."

I Stand Alone

Hopefully, Godsmack does not mind me stealing that title from their song, but that is how Commissioner Lissette Carey felt when the council voted 5-1 to break the 287(g) partnership between Florida’s cities and the federal government for cooperation between local authorities and ICE.

Carey stated, "I did my research prior to the meeting. I was the only member of the Commission who understood the consequences and respected our state and federal government enough to uphold the law."

She later added, "I was deeply disturbed by the lack of understanding and the disregard for the safety, security, and long-term well-being of our city. As the first to cast a vote on this matter, I was disheartened—and frankly shocked—to find myself standing alone in recognizing the importance of upholding this agreement."

This is an issue that the Supreme Court must take up because these cities should not have the authority to overrule federal law on immigration, as the Supreme Court has repeatedly ruled that this is a federal issue. But for now, I hope DeSantis and Uthmeier drop the hammer on these city officials who chose to side with illegal immigrants over law-abiding citizens.