Key West City Commissioners voted 4-2 on Tuesday in favor of keeping the city's 287(g) agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The decision reverses a 6-1 vote by City Commissioners last week that voided Key West's agreement with federal immigration authorities.
The initial vote then prompted Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier to issue a warning to the city over possible legal recourse.
Commissioners Lissette Carey, Aaron Castillo, Donald "Donie" Lee, and Mayor Danise "DeeDee" Henriquez voted in favor of the agreement. Commissioners Monica Haskell and Mary Lou Hoover voted against it.
One of the commissioners, Samuel Kaufman, was not present for the vote.
"I'm voting with my head, and not my heart," Lee said on his decision. Lee was one of the six commissioners to revoke the agreement last week.
The vote angered several people in attendance at City Hall, with many booing and urging the commission to stick by their initial vote or wait for a judge to decide if municipalities must abide by the agreement. A young woman even played the guitar and started singing in protest during public comment.
The commissioners' vote was essentially a cave after Uthmeier took to social media last week, warning the country's southernmost city to comply with ICE or face possible repercussions, including removing those who voted for the resolution.
"Here we go again. Not in Florida," Uthmeier said. "We will ensure law & order and be a force multiplier for ICE’s enforcement of immigration laws. "I hope Key West chooses the easy way, not the hard way."
Uthmeier praised the commission after reversing its decision.
"Great to see the City of Key West heeding our warning and reversing course by reinstating their participation in ICE’s 287(g) program," Uthmeier said.
287(g) is a program reinstated under the Trump administration that allows ICE to collaborate with state and local law enforcement agencies to enforce federal immigration laws.
While municipal and local law enforcement agencies are not directly required to join 287(g), Uthmeier and Gov. Ron DeSantis have argued that the policy should be followed under Florida's sanctuary law.
Mayor Henriquez issued a written statement qualifying her vote"
"As Mayor of the City of Key West, I want to address the City Commission’s vote to void the Key West Police Department’s 287(g) agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). There has been confusion surrounding this vote, and I believe it’s important to provide accurate context. My vote was not intended as a rejection of cooperation with ICE, nor as an attempt to violate Florida law. Rather, my decision was based on guidance from our City Attorney, who
determined that the existing agreement was not valid because it had been signed by the Chief of Police, rather than the City Manager—as required under our city charter.
As Mayor, I take very seriously our responsibility to ensure the City operates according tothe law and proper procedures. I supported the vote to terminate the existing agreement sothat a new, valid 287(g) agreement could be considered and, if approved, properly executed by the City Manager in accordance with local legal requirements.
While there are differing views among members of the Commission about the agreement itself, my position remains focused on ensuring that the City of Key West complies with both state law and our own governance standards. A special meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday, where the Commission will vote on a new version of the 287(g) agreement that would satisfy legal requirements and allow continued cooperation with ICE.
Let me be clear: I have no intention of breaking state law or undermining lawful immigration enforcement. My sole aim is to do things the right way—transparently, legally, and in the best interest of the City of Key West.
I appreciate the public’s attention to this matter and thank everyone for their patience as we work through the appropriate process."
