KEY WEST, Fla. — On Monday night, Key West City Commission voted by a 6–1 margin to officially void its 287(g) agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which previously deputized local police to assist in immigration enforcement operations.
The city’s agreement was initially signed on March 4, 2025 by Police Chief Sean Brandenburg and the City Manager, without prior approval by the full commission.
Commissioner Monica Haskell, who sponsored the resolution, said the agreement was invalid from the start because it was entered into without legislative approval. She and five other commissioners argued the policy amounted to an overreach by both federal and state governments, which they said are pressuring localities into immigration enforcement roles that go beyond their traditional responsibilities.
Police Chief Brandenburg defended his decision to sign the agreement in March, saying he felt legally obligated to do so based on guidance from Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier.
Brandenburg said he acted under the belief that failure to comply could violate a new Florida law requiring local cooperation with federal immigration authorities. However, multiple commissioners expressed frustration that such a major policy change had been implemented without their knowledge or a public vote.
During the meeting, Commissioner Samuel Kaufman stressed that while Key West is not a sanctuary city, it is proud of its immigrant communities and will not allow law enforcement to be weaponized against them.
Commissioner Donald “Donie” Lee suggested the police chief was placed in an impossible position by state leadership and called the 287(g) agreement a “political setup.”
The resolution passed Monday night formally voids the agreement and instructs city staff not to enter any similar contracts in the future unless compelled by a court order. The city also made clear it would continue to comply with formal warrants or legal detainers issued by federal or state authorities but would not proactively enforce immigration law.
Following the vote, Uthmeier sharply criticized the commission’s decision, warning that Key West “will be hearing from [his] office very soon.” The escalating tensions reflect broader legal and political conflicts playing out across Florida, where all 67 county sheriffs have signed similar ICE cooperation agreements as part of Governor Ron DeSantis’ crackdown on illegal immigration.
The legality of requiring cities—not just counties—to enforce immigration laws under state mandate is currently the subject of a lawsuit filed by the city of South Miami. The case could set a statewide precedent.
Key West’s move to reject the agreement may become a model for other municipalities that wish to resist entanglement with federal immigration enforcement. Advocates say the vote is not just a procedural rebuke, but a moral stance in defense of immigrant families who are part of the fabric of the island city.
As immigration enforcement ramps up statewide under a renewed federal-state partnership, the commission’s decision marks a rare and symbolic stand against what critics call the criminalization of immigration status.
The resolution passed Monday night formally voids the agreement and instructs city staff not to enter any similar contracts in the future unless compelled by a court order. The city also made clear it would continue to comply with formal warrants or legal detainers issued by federal or state authorities but would not proactively enforce immigration law.
Following the vote, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier sharply criticized the commission’s decision, warning that Key West “will be hearing from [his] office very soon.” The escalating tensions reflect broader legal and political conflicts playing out across Florida, where all 67 county sheriffs have signed similar ICE cooperation agreements as part of Governor Ron DeSantis’ crackdown on illegal immigration.
The legality of requiring cities—not just counties—to enforce immigration laws under state mandate is currently the subject of a lawsuit filed by the city of South Miami. The case could set a statewide precedent.
Key West’s move to reject the agreement may become a model for other municipalities that wish to resist entanglement with federal immigration enforcement. Advocates say the vote is not just a procedural rebuke, but a moral stance in defense of immigrant families who are part of the fabric of the island city.
As immigration enforcement ramps up statewide under a renewed federal-state partnership, the commission’s decision marks a rare and symbolic stand against what critics call the criminalization of immigration status.
Key West’s decision to reject federal immigration enforcement aligns with its historical legacy of resistance, most notably illustrated by its symbolic secession from the United States in 1982, when it declared itself the “Conch Republic.” This act of protest followed the establishment of a Border Patrol roadblock on U.S. 1, which effectively isolated the Florida Keys from the rest of the country. Responding to concerns about the impact on tourism and perceptions of government overreach, Key West officials declared independence, raised their own flag, and humorously declared war on the United States, only to surrender shortly thereafter and request foreign aid.
Although this movement was largely symbolic, it reflects a broader sentiment regarding the Keys’ independent spirit and opposition to perceived government intrusion. By voting to terminate its agreement with ICE, the city positioned itself against federal and state entities in support of its values. Residents of the Conch Republic once resisted being treated as outsiders in their own country; similarly, today’s city commissioners have expressed concern that participating in immigration enforcement could undermine community trust and inclusivity.
This historical context reveals a continuity in Key West’s identity, emphasizing autonomy, tolerance, and community interactions over external political pressures. The city that once issued mock passports and declared independence from Washington is now asserting local control regarding the responsibilities of its police, particularly in relation to the treatment of all residents, irrespective of their immigration status.
