TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (CBS12) — In a recent letter, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier warned Mayor Jane Castor that she could face removal from office if she continues to enforce sanctuary policies.
Uthmeier’s letter on Wednesday states that the Tampa Police Department has implemented policies that violate several Florida laws concerning immigration enforcement.
He claims these policies limit the information that the police department can share with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and restrict the department’s participation in immigration enforcement activities.
Uthmeier stated that under Florida law, sanctuary policies are prohibited. These policies refer to any local law or procedure that prevents law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities.
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According to Uthmeier, the police department’s current practices, which allegedly include not sharing information about crime victims’ or witnesses’ immigration status, undermine immigration laws.
Furthermore, Uthmeier claimed that these policies jeopardize the safety of Tampa residents.
He cited a recent case where a Florida Highway Patrol officer, working through the 287(g) program, arrested an undocumented immigrant with a history of violence. He also referenced larger enforcement operations where numerous undocumented immigrants were arrested and convicted of lewd and lascivious behavior, battery, domestic violence, molestation, and more.
He has given Mayor Castor a deadline of March 31 to reverse the City’s current policies or face civil penalties, including the possibility of being removed from office.