Key West city officials have decided to renew their local law enforcement’s partnership with federal immigration authorities under the 287(g) agreement. This decision came during an emergency meeting held in Key West, Florida, on July 8, 2025, after initially voiding the agreement. (Credit: City of Key West)
Just a few days after choosing to oppose federal immigration authorities, a Florida city reversed its stance, leading to significant public criticism.
In a surprising change, Key West city commissioners voted on Tuesday to restore their local police’s cooperation with federal immigration operations, ultimately conceding to pressure from state officials.
The divisive decision comes one week after the commission opted to end the city’s implementation of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s 287(g) agreement in a 5-1 vote, which would allow cooperation between federal agents and local law enforcement.
ICE did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
The city of Key West previously entered an agreement with ICE, with officials ultimately voting to dissolve it before reversing course. (iStock)
Immediately following the revised decision, Uthmeier praised the commissioners’ course reversal.
“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 in a social media post. “Florida requires cities to commit best efforts to help the Trump administration enforce immigration law, and Floridians expect nothing less.”
The vote comes as the City of South Miami is currently suing the DeSantis administration after a special state legislative session passed a bill in February placing additional responsibilities on local governments within the state to cooperate with ICE. The lawsuit is asking the state to not require South Miami law enforcement to enter a 287(g) while also not automatically declaring a sanctuary city.
Key West’s city commission ultimately voted against joining South Miami in its lawsuit against the state.
With the reinstated decision, local law enforcement is set to aid in immigration enforcement efforts throughout the city — a move Carey believes is positive for her constituents.
“While some residents and local leaders thought that this was not good for the city of Key West, I actually spoke with immigrants who are here legally and were upset by the action that was taken,” Carey said. “At least when our local law enforcement is working with ICE, they recognize and personally know some of the immigrants that are here legally.”
Carey pointed to her own family’s history of immigration, with her mother moving from Cuba with her family when she was just seven years old.
“My mother came with her siblings and my grandparents to escape communism,” Carey told Fox News Digital. “It is so very important to upload the law and support legal immigration for the safety and security of our country.”
