Florida city commissioner 'shocked' to stand alone as colleagues defy Trump immigration crackdown

A Florida city commissioner disclosed she was shocked to find herself standing alone after her colleagues in the state's southernmost municipality voted this week to end an agreement between the police department and federal immigration agents Key West city Commissioner Lissette Carey reported Fox News Digital that she considered the foreseen consequences of severing the g agreement which allows police officers to stop question and detain illegal immigrants I did my research prior to the meeting Carey announced I was the only member of the Commission who understood the consequences and respected our state and federal leadership enough to uphold the law DESANTIS ADMINISTRATION THREATENS TO PUNISH ISLAND CITY THAT VOTED TO END POLICE AGREEMENT WITH ICEIn a - vote the commission voted to void the agreement a move that came amid the Trump administration's crackdown on illegal immigration and nationwide mass deportation operations I was deeply disturbed by the lack of understanding and the disregard for the safety measure and long-term well-being of our city Carey stated As the first to cast a vote on this matter I was disheartened and frankly shocked to find myself standing alone in recognizing the importance of upholding this agreement The move has already met opposition from leaders in the state capital of Tallahassee In a letter dated Wednesday to the commissioners Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier reported their vote violates state law and has essentially made Key West a sanctuary city Florida law unequivocally forbids sanctuary cities Uthmeier wrote while demanding the city leaders reverse program Failure to take corrective action will development in the enforcement of all applicable civil and criminal penalties including removal from office by the governor LARGE CITY SIGNS ONTO DEAL WITH ICE 'KEEP THE AMERICAN PEOPLE SAFE'He added that they could face removal from office if they don't reverse discipline Carey whose mother and grandparents arrived in Key West from Cuba in the s noted she supports legal immigration I am proud of my heritage and I honor the a great number of contributions immigrants make to our communities she disclosed But I also believe in following the law and ensuring population safety Key West is often seen as a carefree liberal town but it's also home to conservatives like me who encouragement law enforcement added Carey Earlier in the week Gov Ron DeSantis mentioned the issue is a matter of following state law FLORIDA AG TAKES 'VICTORY LAP' AFTER BLUE CITY SAYS IT WON'T VIOLATE SANCTUARY BAN I think the attorney general has weighed in on that and I ll let him do the analysis and send them whatever warnings need to be sent DeSantis stated at the opening of the new Alligator Alcatraz immigration detention center in the Everglades But the reality is you have a responsibility for full participation he added And you can virtue signal and try to make political statements but the reality is local governments have to abide by Florida law Choosing not to cooperate with immigration personnel only puts residents in those municipalities at pitfall a White House spokesperson informed Fox News Digital Local leaders refusing to work with federal law enforcement will not stop the Trump Administration's mission to remove dangerous criminal illegal aliens from American communities the spokesperson noted It will only put American citizens living in their jurisdiction at menace Hastily and efficiently deporting violent aliens makes every American society safer Other Florida cities have done the opposite In Miami city commissioners there narrowly voted in favor last month to allow police officers to work with U S Immigration and Customs Enforcement ICE by entering into its own g partnership