One Florida sheriff got a brutal wake-up call for defying ICE with this reckless move

A Florida sheriff thought he could thumb his nose at federal immigration law.

He just discovered how wrong he was.

One Florida sheriff got a brutal wake-up call for defying ICE with this reckless move.

Sheriff Tony declares war on immigration enforcement

Broward County Sheriff Gregory Tony made a stunning declaration during a June 3 budget workshop that sent shockwaves through law enforcement circles.

Tony told county commissioners that his office would not participate in federal immigration enforcement efforts.

“The patch on our sleeve says Broward County. We’re not ICE, we’re not immigration,” Tony declared during the meeting.

“I don’t work for the Department of Justice. I don’t work for the president of the United States. I work for the people of this community,” he added.

Tony’s defiant stance went even further when he made it clear that his department would not engage in field operations dealing with immigration raids.

He refused to expand participation in immigration task forces or increase staffing to help federal agencies like U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

“Immigration is not one of our top priorities,” Tony stated flatly.

The sheriff even rejected the idea of his deputies targeting illegal aliens solely for their immigration status.

“What I refuse to do is take this notion that we need to be knocking on doors or arresting children or going into daycare centers or restaurants and snatching people off the streets,” Tony said.

Florida Attorney General delivers crushing blow

Tony’s defiance didn’t go unnoticed by state officials who are committed to enforcing immigration law.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier fired back with a devastating letter that put Tony on notice.

Uthmeier demanded that Tony “clarify” and potentially “reverse” his reckless statements about refusing to cooperate with immigration enforcement.

The Attorney General pointed out that Tony’s policies potentially violate Florida statutes requiring local law enforcement officials to actively assist with federal immigration enforcement efforts.

Uthmeier didn’t mince words when he laid out the consequences Tony could face for his defiance.

The letter hinted at possible legal ramifications including charges of contempt or removal from office under state law.

“My office will use every tool available to ensure local officials obey Florida law and protect public safety,” Uthmeier wrote.

The dangerous reality Tony is ignoring

Uthmeier’s letter highlighted several high-profile crimes involving illegal aliens in Broward County that prove why immigration enforcement should be a priority.

The Attorney General cited a recent plea deal involving a Dominican national convicted of impersonating a U.S. citizen.

He also referenced a 2024 human smuggling case off the Fort Lauderdale coast as evidence of the immigration crisis hitting Broward County.

“These and other heinous crimes by illegal aliens in Broward County must be stopped,” Uthmeier wrote.

“Given these realities, it is unclear to me why ‘immigration’ wouldn’t be one of your priorities,” the Attorney General added.

The contrast between Tony’s approach and neighboring Miami-Dade County couldn’t be starker.

Miami-Dade County has been working to formalize an agreement with ICE that would ensure the county gets reimbursed for detaining illegal aliens.

Commissioner Roberto J. Gonzalez emphasized that “Miami-Dade is not and will not be a sanctuary county.”

Tony’s half-hearted compliance isn’t enough

Tony tried to have it both ways by claiming his office complies with standard federal inmate processing requirements under the Section 287(g) agreement.

But his refusal to fully cooperate with immigration enforcement puts public safety at risk.

Tony admitted that his office has “always had two people assigned” to immigration task forces but said he hasn’t increased that number.

“We have other priorities in this community that I’m focused on, and immigration is not one of them,” Tony stated.

This lukewarm approach to immigration enforcement is exactly what Attorney General Uthmeier is demanding Tony reverse.

The sheriff’s defiant stance puts him on a collision course with state law and the safety of Broward County residents.

Tony’s constituents deserve a sheriff who will use every tool available to keep dangerous criminals off the streets.

Instead, they have a sheriff who’s more interested in political grandstanding than protecting public safety.

The Attorney General’s warning shot should serve as a wake-up call that Florida won’t tolerate sanctuary policies that endanger law-abiding citizens.

Tony now faces a choice: comply with Florida law or face the consequences of his reckless defiance.