by Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix
July 9, 2025

The Key West City Commission voted Tuesday night to approve a 287(g) agreement between the city’s police department and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The vote was 4-2.

The resolution sponsored by Mayor Danise Henriquez authorizes Key West City Manager Brian Barroso to enter into the agreement to allow the Police Department to receive training and participate in federal immigration operations. The resolution also says that the city “should not adopt or maintain any sanctuary policies” as defined by Florida law. It took effect immediately.

Approval of the resolution came less than a week after Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier warned that the commission had violated Florida law when it voided an earlier agreement between ICE and the police department on June 30. It came after nearly three hours of public comment, with the vast majority of the public calling on the commission to stand by its vote to void an earlier agreement between the police chief and ICE.

The commission approved a second resolution expressing support for Haitians with Temporary Protected Status (TPS). TPS protects immigrants from certain countries from deportation and allows them to work legally in the United States. However, Haitians in the United States will lose that protection as of Sept. 2, according to Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem. A spokesperson for DHS has said that the situation in Haiti has improved enough that it is “now safe for Haitian citizens to return home.” That measure passed, 5-1.

A third resolution calling on the city attorney to join in the legal action by the city of South Miami testing the legality of the requirement to enter into a 287(g) agreement was voted down, 4-2.

The vote rescinds earlier vote to void agreement

The immigration vote came eight days after Key West commissioners voted, 6-1, to void its police department’s previous 287(g) agreement with ICE that had been put into place by the city’s chief of police, Sean Brandenburg on March 4, with City Manager Brian Barroso’s knowledge but not with the approval of city commissioners.

In his July 2 letter, Uthmeier warned commissioners to “immediately” reverse last week’s vote.

“Failure to take corrective action will result in the enforcement of all applicable civil and criminal penalties, including removal from office by the Governor pursuant to section 908.107, Florida Statutes, and the Florida Constitution,” he wrote.

Members of the public spoke out against the proposed agreement, with many saying that it was worth taking a stand that could result in the loss of their jobs on the commission.

“I believe your stance against this evil spreading across our nation is exactly what you were called to do,” said resident Kirby Myers.

“Because 30 years from now, most of us will not be here. But our children will. And our grandchildren will. And when they look back at this night, it could be a defining moment in our history. They will either look back at our local leaders here tonight who had an opportunity to spread a light across this nation and create a model for others to follow, and fight. And stand. And look the bullies in the eye with unity and unwavering conviction. Or they’ll look back and recall a moment that faded, as we cowered in fear, and allowed those who rule by intimidation and violence to, once again, walk all over those without a voice.

“I know you are scared — scared to lose your positions. Scared of the retributions. Scared of the rhetoric and the hate being spread on social media and the vile attacks against our communities. But if you don’t take this stance tonight, who will?”

Commissioners Monica Haskell and Samuel Kaufman were both out of town, but Haskell appeared via Zoom.

Kaufman did not appear at all, but issued a statement that was read aloud before the meeting by City Clerk Keri O’Brien. His letter blasted the mayor’s decision to hold the meeting without all members present.

“The city’s expert legal counsel has confirmed that we are in a strong position by doing nothing. We haven’t entered or supported an agreement. There’s no legal liability, so why panic? The mayor scheduled this meeting prior to discussing the legal options with the attorneys. Why not wait for the courts to decide whether the 287(g) agreement is mandatory or voluntary?

“Florida law does not require cities to sign 287(g). It only applies to sheriffs. Our police chief signed that agreement without public input or commission approval. That’s a problem. And we were right to recognize it as void. If the mayor’s resolution is approved, which I do not support to enter into the 287(g) agreement, then at least let’s fight in court alongside South Miami.

“But make no mistake, that entering into the 287(g) is the worst option for our community. Key West depends on tourism. We depend on trust. Turning our police into ICE agents erodes both. This isn’t about politics, it’s about public safety and economic survival.”

Commissioner Haskell proposed to postpone the decision until the city of South Miami’s legal challenge is adjudicated, but that amendment was rejected by the majority of the commission..

Florida Phoenix is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Florida Phoenix maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Michael Moline for questions: info@floridaphoenix.com.

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Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.

Political Bias Rating: Center-Left

This content generally presents a centrist viewpoint with a slight leaning left of center. It reports the Key West City Commission’s decision to reauthorize cooperation with ICE under a 287(g) agreement while also highlighting local opposition to the agreement and concerns about its impact on immigrant communities and local public safety. The article gives voice to critics who see the agreement as harmful, especially emphasizing the economic and social consequences for a tourism-dependent city, which typically aligns with more progressive or moderate-left concerns. However, it also fairly reports on legal and political pressures from state authorities and presents views from multiple commissioners, reflecting a balanced tone overall without overt ideological framing.