Key West commissioners came crashing down after Florida’s attorney general delivered one nightmare scenario they never saw coming

Key West’s city commissioners thought they could thumb their nose at immigration enforcement.

They were dead wrong about what would happen next.

And Key West commissioners came crashing down after Florida’s attorney general delivered one nightmare scenario they never saw coming.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier puts the hammer down on Key West

The liberal commissioners in Key West got a harsh lesson in reality this week when they tried to play sanctuary city games in the Sunshine State.

Just over a week ago, Key West commissioners voted 6-1 to cancel their partnership with ICE through the 287(g) program.

The 287(g) program allows local law enforcement agencies to enforce federal immigration laws and identify illegal aliens with criminal records who are eligible for removal.

But these commissioners thought they could virtue signal their way out of supporting President Trump’s immigration crackdown.

They were about to learn that Florida doesn’t play games when it comes to sanctuary policies.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier immediately fired back with a warning that left the commissioners scrambling.

“Not in Florida. We will ensure law and 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 said.¹

The attorney general sent a letter to the commissioners that made it crystal clear they had just violated state law.

Uthmeier warned them that voiding the 287(g) agreement “has rendered Key West a sanctuary city, thereby impeding the enforcement of federal immigration laws and exposing the city to potential civil and criminal penalties.”²

But the real kicker came when Uthmeier spelled out exactly what would happen if they didn’t reverse course immediately.

“Failure to take corrective action will result in the enforcement of all applicable civil and criminal penalties, including removal from office by the Governor pursuant to section 908.107, Florida Statutes, and the Florida Constitution,” he wrote.³

That got their attention real quick.

Commissioners cave under pressure in emergency meeting

The commissioners called an emergency meeting for Tuesday night after realizing they had bitten off more than they could chew.

The meeting was packed with residents who urged them to stick to their guns and fight the state.

But the commissioners had seen enough.

They voted 4-2 to reinstate the 287(g) agreement and get back in line with Florida law.

Commissioner Donald “Donie” Lee, who had voted to void the agreement just a week earlier, now changed his tune.

“I’m voting with my head, and not my heart,” Lee said on his decision.⁴

The crowd at City Hall wasn’t happy with the flip-flopping.

Many residents booed the commissioners and urged them to wait for the courts to decide the matter.

One young woman even played guitar and sang in protest during public comment.

Commissioner Monica Haskell, who opposed reinstating the agreement, slammed the mayor for rushing the vote.

“The city’s expert legal counsel has confirmed that we are in a strong position by doing nothing. We haven’t entered or supported an agreement. There’s no legal liability, so why panic?” she said.⁵

But the writing was on the wall.

The commissioners had realized they were playing with fire when they tried to defy state law.

The real reason Key West had to back down

The commissioners’ decision wasn’t just about avoiding criminal penalties.

It was about the harsh reality of what happens when you cross Florida’s Republican leadership.

According to the resolution, the commissioners’ previous decision violated Florida law under Section 908.103, which bans sanctuary policies.⁶

The resolution also points to dangerous criminal activity by illegal aliens, referencing arrests in the Florida Keys for sexual battery, homicide, and drug trafficking.⁷

This wasn’t some abstract legal debate.

This was about public safety and following the law.

Commissioner Haskell complained that entering into the 287(g) agreement was “the worst option for our community” because “Key West depends on tourism. We depend on trust. Turning our police into ICE agents erodes both.”⁸

But her argument fell on deaf ears.

The other commissioners understood that breaking state law and defying the attorney general would bring far worse consequences than cooperating with immigration enforcement.

Uthmeier praised the commission after they reversed course.

“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. “Florida requires cities to commit best efforts to help the Trump administration enforce immigration law, and Floridians expect nothing less!”⁹

This is what happens when you try to resist Trump’s agenda

The Key West commissioners learned the hard way that Florida isn’t going to tolerate sanctuary city policies.

Governor Ron DeSantis and Attorney General Uthmeier have made it clear that they’re going to be a “force multiplier” for President Trump’s immigration enforcement efforts.

The 287(g) program is a key part of that strategy.

It allows local police to identify and detain illegal aliens with criminal records who are eligible for removal.

It lets them conduct limited immigration enforcement under ICE oversight.

And it allows them to execute administrative warrants for deportable individuals in their jails.

The commissioners in Key West thought they could play politics with public safety.

But they quickly discovered that Florida Republicans weren’t bluffing about the consequences.

The threat of criminal penalties and removal from office was enough to make them see the light.

This is exactly what needs to happen in every jurisdiction that tries to obstruct immigration enforcement.

President Trump’s agenda is moving forward whether liberal politicians like it or not.

And Florida is leading the way in making sure that happens.

¹ Michelle Vecerina, “Key West City Commission reinstates ICE agreement after state pressure,” South Florida Sun Sentinel, July 8, 2025. ² Ibid. ³ Sheri-kae McLeod, “Key West Commissioners reverse course, approves ICE agreement in 4–2 vote,” The Keys Citizen, July 9, 2025. ⁴ Michael Costeines, “Key West Commissioners Vote to Keep Agreement With ICE Following Uthmeier Warning,” Florida Politics, July 9, 2025. ⁵ McLeod, July 9, 2025. ⁶ Vecerina, July 8, 2025. ⁷ Ibid. ⁸ McLeod, July 9, 2025. ⁹ Costeines, July 9, 2025.