Florida AG warns Sheriff Tony: "Support ICE or risk losing your job" — But local communities, including Haitians, call for balance and justice
By The Haitian Pulse | June 10, 2025
A political storm is brewing in Broward County as Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier confronts Sheriff Gregory Tony over his priority on criminal justice over mass immigration enforcement. The clash isn’t just political—it strikes at the core of community trust and the role local law enforcement plays in protecting immigrant families.
“Best efforts” or betrayal?
In a strongly worded letter, AG Uthmeier demanded that Sheriff Tony clarify his public comments from a June 3 budget workshop—where Tony stated, “immigration is not one of [our] priorities” and “I won’t participate in” sweeping unsubstantiated ICE-style rais.
Uthmeier made it clear that under Florida Statute §908.104(1), all local law enforcement must use “best efforts to support federal immigration law.” He warned Tony that failure to comply could lead to legal action, contempt, or even removal from office.
Sheriff Tony’s response: cooperation with limits
Sheriff Tony promptly defended his stance, citing existing 287(g) agreements with ICE—the first authorizing arrests of undocumented individuals already in custody, and the second permitting him to hold detainees for federal transfer.
He emphasized, “We’re not ICE… I work for the people of this community.” Tony pledged that his office will continue partnering on criminal cases involving non-citizens, but will not engage in mass immigration sweeps targeting law-abiding families.
What this means for immigrant communities—and Haitians
For Haitian families in Broward—many under Temporary Protected Status or family-based pathways—this confrontation carries real consequences. The fear isn’t just of immigration raids, but of destabilizing the fragile trust they have in law enforcement.
Jean-Robert M., a Haitian father living near Fort Lauderdale, told The Haitian Pulse:
“If deputies are targeting the undocumented—even lawfully present relatives—families stop reporting violence, abuse, or threats.”
Recent high-profile immigration-related crimes in the area were cited by Uthmeier, but local advocates argue that pairing criminal enforcement with mass immigration efforts risks harm to community safety.
A national test case
This isn’t just one sheriff’s dilemma—it reflects a larger national struggle over sanctuary principles vs. state law. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has strongly supported the AG’s position, expecting every sheriff to comply—or step aside.
Sheriff Tony, a Democrat re-elected twice in a predominantly blue county, maintains laws are being enforced—but he also insists that going after non-criminal undocumented residents undermines public trust and endangers those who would otherwise help police.
The Haitian Pulse perspective
Local law enforcement must strike a delicate balance: enforce laws, yes—but also safeguard community trust—especially among immigrant and Black communities who already experience vulnerability. Blanket immigration enforcement risks chilling cooperation necessary for public safety.
Sheriff Tony’s stance—that cops must focus on crime, not immigration paperwork—is not about defiance. It’s a conscious stance toward cultivating safer, more inclusive communities.
We want your voice to be heard
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Do you trust Sheriff Tony’s stance on targeted law enforcement?
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Does blanket immigration compliance improve safety—or fuel fear?
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How can Haitian families in Broward feel secure in asking for police help without fear of immigration exposure?
👇 Leave a comment below and shape the conversation. Your experiences matter.
About The Haitian Pulse
We shine a spotlight on issues affecting Haitian and immigrant communities from all walks of life. Grounded in fact, committed to justice, and driven by community voices—we are your pulse for reporting, connecting, and empowering our diaspora and homeland.
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