Florida’s Attorney General threatens to remove Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer from office over the city’s controversial “Trust Act,” which essentially designates Orlando as a sanctuary city for illegal immigrants.
Key Insights
- Attorney General James Uthmeier warned Mayor Dyer that Orlando’s 2018 “Trust Act” violates Florida’s 2019 anti-sanctuary city law signed by Governor Ron DeSantis.
- The Trust Act prohibits city employees and police from inquiring about immigration status, effectively making Orlando a sanctuary city.
- Mayor Dyer claims the city respects state and federal immigration laws, pointing to Orlando’s participation in ICE training under a 287(g) agreement.
- Uthmeier explicitly stated that enforcement of the Trust Act could result in Dyer’s removal from office by the Governor.
- The confrontation highlights growing tensions between state and local governments over immigration enforcement policies.
State Officials Draw Line in the Sand on Immigration Policy
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has taken a firm stance against Orlando’s immigration policies, warning Mayor Buddy Dyer that continued enforcement of the city’s 2018 “Trust Act” could lead to serious consequences. The Trust Act, which prohibits city employees and police officers from asking about a person’s immigration status, directly conflicts with Florida’s 2019 law banning sanctuary cities throughout the state. During an April 7 Orlando City Council meeting, Dyer reportedly stated that the Orlando Police Department would not proactively enforce immigration laws and would follow the Trust Act instead.
Uthmeier didn’t mince words in his assessment of the situation, declaring that “sanctuary policies are not tolerated or lawful in Florida” and warning of potential penalties for non-compliance. The stark warning comes as part of Florida’s broader crackdown on illegal immigration under Governor Ron DeSantis’s administration. The attorney general made it clear that the 2019 state law effectively renders Orlando’s Trust Act void, regardless of when it was enacted.
Removal from Office on the Table
The attorney general’s warning carries serious weight, as he specifically mentioned the possibility of Mayor Dyer being removed from office by Governor DeSantis for violating state law. This represents a dramatic escalation in the state’s approach to enforcing its immigration policies. In his communication with the mayor, Uthmeier emphasized that failure to abide by state law could result in multiple consequences, including contempt charges, legal action, and potential removal from office.
“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.” – Source
The confrontation marks a significant moment in Florida’s efforts to enforce its anti-sanctuary city laws. Mayor Dyer, who has been recognized by the NBA as a “social justice game changer,” now finds himself at odds with state officials who view Orlando’s Trust Act as direct defiance of state law. The attorney general’s threat of removal represents one of the most severe potential consequences for a local official resisting state immigration enforcement mandates.
Mayor Dyer Defends City’s Position
In response to the attorney general’s warnings, Mayor Dyer has attempted to defuse the situation by insisting that Orlando respects and follows all applicable immigration laws. Dyer stated he takes the attorney general’s concerns “very seriously” and claimed the city does not “have any intention of violating federal or state law.” As evidence of cooperation with federal immigration authorities, Dyer provided documentation showing that Orlando police officers are receiving training to assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under a 287(g) Task Force Model Memorandum of Agreement.
“Today, I sent a letter to @orlandomayor reminding him that the sanctuary policy adopted by the city in 2018, the ‘Trust Act,’ is void under a 2019 law signed by @GovRonDeSantis. If the city enforces the policy as Mayor Dyer suggested, especially with @OrlandoPolice signing a 287(g) agreement with ICE, there will be consequences.” – Source
The conflict highlights the increasing tension between state and local governments across the country on immigration enforcement. While Orlando attempts to maintain its Trust Act policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities in certain respects, state officials are making it clear that such policies will not be tolerated under Florida law. The resolution of this standoff could have significant implications for other Florida municipalities that might be considering similar sanctuary-type policies.
Sources:
- Florida attorney general threatens ‘removal of office’ for Orlando mayor over immigration policy
- Florida Officials May Remove Sanctuary City Mayor
