Florida Officials Vote to Reinstate Agreement with ICE

In a recent twist, Key West City commissioners voted to reestablish a partnership with federal immigration officials under the 287(g) program. This decision came shortly after they had voted to terminate the agreement during an emergency meeting on July 8, 2025.

The change wasn’t totally expected, especially since the city had initially resisted any collaboration with federal immigration authorities. The swift response from state leaders seemed to push local officials to reconsider their prior decision, culminating in the Tuesday vote.

This backlash follows a week after the city had voted 5-1 against the partnership, which facilitated cooperation between local law enforcement and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). As of now, ICE has not provided any statements regarding these developments.

Interestingly, Commissioner Reset Carrey had been the lone dissenting vote against the initial dissolution of the agreement. Yet, during the latest vote, he joined the majority. Carrey expressed his surprise at how many of his colleagues seemed unaware of the implications of severing ties with ICE.

“We must support and follow state and federal laws,” Carrey noted. “As an independent voice, I was stunned by my colleagues’ lack of understanding regarding the seriousness of ending our agreement.” During the tumultuous meeting, some citizens voiced their frustrations vocally, which created a charged atmosphere.

Commissioners Monica Haskell, Samuel Kaufman, Donald Lee, and Aaron Castillo opted not to comment, while Commissioner Mary Lou Hoover also declined to address the vote.

The DeSantis administration had made it clear that they would take action against cities that decided to disband police agreements with ICE, creating a sense of urgency among Key West officials to reverse their initial decision.

Carrey described the earlier agreement as ineffective, citing criticism from the local community, and suggested that there was confusion regarding its legal status from the start. He indicated that the police chief had signed the contract without the mayor’s approval, which he noted should have raised red flags.

Despite the disputes, officials claimed that maintaining the agreement with ICE would foster “public trust,” particularly among the local Venezuelan community. The decision to reinstate the partnership came amidst pressure from state leadership, which threatened repercussions for non-compliance with immigration policies.

Florida Attorney General James Usmier criticized the city’s previous choice to annul the agreement, noting it violated state law and branding it as an attempt to establish a “sanctuary city.”

Suggestions have emerged regarding possible civil and criminal penalties for local officials who don’t adhere to state protocols, which likely influenced the recent reversal. Carrey revealed it was clear that some dissenters took the threats very seriously, leading to the emergency meeting to amend their mistake.

This ongoing situation seems to reflect larger tensions surrounding immigration policies in Florida, as well as within Key West itself. While many locals might have felt uneasy about this turn of events, some, including Carrey, believe it’s essential to uphold laws and support legal immigrants.

Carrey shared her family’s immigration history, emphasizing her mother’s journey from Cuba. “Her experience underscores the importance of following the law and ensuring safety and security in our community,” she said.