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

A Florida city commissioner revealed 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 officials Key West city Commissioner Lissette Carey notified Fox News Digital that she considered the prospective 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 mentioned I was the only member of the Commission who understood the consequences and respected our state and federal administration 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 guard and long-term well-being of our city Carey explained 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 explained 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 program Carey whose mother and grandparents arrived in Key West from Cuba in the s disclosed she supports legal immigration I am proud of my heritage and I honor the numerous contributions immigrants make to our communities she mentioned But I also believe in following the law and ensuring community safety Key West is often seen as a carefree liberal town but it's also home to conservatives like me who aid law enforcement added Carey Earlier in the week Gov Ron DeSantis revealed 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 commented 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 leadership only puts residents in those municipalities at danger a White House spokesperson notified Fox News Digital Local executives 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 commented It will only put American citizens living in their jurisdiction at hazard Fast and efficiently deporting violent aliens makes every American area 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