KEY WEST, Fla. – Commissioners in Key West will meet this week to decide whether to honor an agreement with U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
“Our police chief did not have the authority to enter into that agreement,” said Key West Commissioner Sam Kaufman on “This Week in South Florida” Sunday morning.
He was discussing the council’s decision to void the 287-G agreement signed by their police chief.
“We’re not sure what has changed in the past six years and six months,” Kaufman said.
Key West is not a sanctuary city, and Kaufman told Local 10’s Glenna Milberg the city has and continues to comply with federal and state laws.
It was last week when residents applauded the council’s decision to backtrack on the decision.
The 287-G agreements are part of a newly created state immigration law that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed back in February.
However, it seems the agreement gives local municipalities the option to take part or not.
After Key West leaders voided the agreement, the state attorney general sent a letter threatening commissioners with criminal penalties or the possibility of removal.
“We’ll let the judiciary branch do their job,” said Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez during an appearance on “This Week in South Florida” Sunday morning. “This was not meant to be an optional agreement.”
A special meeting is set to take place in Key West this Tuesday.