A Florida city walked back its decision to defy an agreement with federal immigration authorities, sparking intense public backlash just days after the initial vote.
In a stunning reversal, Key West city commissioners voted Tuesday to reinstate local law enforcement’s collaboration with federal immigration efforts, ultimately bowing to pressure from state leaders.
The divisive decision comes one week after the commission opted to end the city’s implementation of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s 287(g) agreement in a 5-1 vote, which would allow cooperation between federal agents and local law enforcement.
A City of Key West emergency meeting regarding immigration efforts
In a 4-2 vote, the Key West City Commission walked back its earlier decision to terminate local law enforcement’s agreement with federal immigration authorities during an emergency meeting on Jul. 8, 2025. (City of Key West)
Commissioner Lissette Carey stood as the sole vote against dissolving the program last week, and subsequently voted in the majority at Tuesday’s meeting.
“We absolutely have to support and follow the law of our state and federal government,” Commissioner Lissette Carey told Fox News Digital. “I was shocked that I was the standalone vote and that my colleagues didn’t understand the severity of terminating the agreement.”
As the commission voted 4-2 to reinstate the agreement, constituents attending the meeting were heard shouting at the officials before walking out in protest.
Commissioners Monika Haskell, Samuel Kaufman, Donald Lee and Aaron Castillo did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. Commissioner Mary Lou Hoover declined to comment on the vote.
President Donald Trump talks with Gov. Ron DeSantis during a roundtable at “Alligator Alcatraz,” a new migrant detention facility at Dade-Collier Training and Transition facility, Tuesday, Jul. 1, 2025, in Ochopee, Florida. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
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Initial confusion regarding the validity of the decision drew criticism from constituents throughout the state’s southernmost community, with the city’s police chief, Sean Brandenburg, signing the initial agreement.
“[The commissioners] took an interesting position on [the agreement], stating that it was never valid to begin with,” Carey said.
In Tuesday’s vote, Carey looked to clarify the legality of the initial agreement after it was signed by the chief of police, instead of City Manager Brian Barroso.
“I’ve wanted clarity on that,” Carey said. “The city manager is supposed to sign those agreements, but he authorized the police chief to do so.”
According to Carey, city officials informed her that it was common practice for the police chief to sign memorandums of understanding.
“The commissioner that proposed amendments asked to change ‘reinstating’ into ‘entering into,’” Carey said. “In other words, it was never a valid contract to begin with. So it is recognized via the resolution that this is a reinstatement, which to me says it was valid to begin with and canceled.”
Both Barroso and Brandenburg’s administrations declined Fox News Digital’s request for comment. The mayor’s office and city attorney did not immediately respond.
Credit: foxnews
