Overview
- Orange County commissioners voted 5-2 on Tuesday to ratify a 287(g) amendment after Mayor Jerry Demings said he signed the pact under protest and “extreme duress” following threats from Governor Ron DeSantis and Attorney General James Uthmeier.
- Commissioners Nicole Wilson and Kelly Martinez Semrad opposed the agreement, warning that state coercion undermines local authority and could erode democratic control.
- Supporters of ratification argued that approval was necessary to prevent a DeSantis-appointed board from replacing noncompliant officials under Florida’s ambiguous “best efforts” law.
- About 60 residents packed the commission meeting chamber in Orlando and roughly 30 protesters gathered outside carrying signs decrying the use of local tax dollars for ICE operations.
- State Representative Anna Eskamani and several commissioners indicated they will pursue litigation to clarify or challenge the state’s mandate on local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.