Buddy Dyer backs down on immigration enforcement after threat from James Uthmeier

Buddy Dyer is ready for one more term.

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said police in the city will assist in enforcing immigration law.

In a letter to Attorney General James Uthmeier, Dyer said Orlando police already have started training with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). He sent the message after Uthmeier threatened the city with legal consequences if it failed to comply with a new state law requiring cooperation.

“I want to assure you that we take your letter, Florida law, and federal immigration law very seriously,” Dyer wrote.

“Neither I nor the Orlando Police Department have any intention of violating federal or state law, and as you know, we have signed the Memorandum of Agreement 287(g) Task Force Model with ICE, an executed copy of which is attached. Our OPD officers are in the process of being trained by ICE to provide assistance at its direction. We assure you we will continue to use our best efforts to support the enforcement of federal immigration law, as well as state law.”

Dyer is a former Democratic Senator.

Uthmeier earlier in the week sent a letter to Dyer saying the city effectively passed a “sanctuary” policy in 2018 when it approved the Trust Act, a city ordinance directing police not to ask individuals about immigration status while enforcing the law. Uthmeier said that law was ruled null by a ban on sanctuary cities signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2019.

“If the city enforces the policy as Mayor Dyer suggested, especially with Orlando Police signing a 287(g) agreement with ICE, there will be consequences,” Uthmeier posted on social media last week. He also sent a letter raising the prospect of removing Dyer from office.

Dyer doesn’t directly reference the Trust Act in his own letter. But Uthmeier said he viewed the letter as Dyer backing off past assertions the city would not enforce immigration law.

“We appreciate Orlando Mayor (Dyer) reversing course and confirming that Orlando will enforce state and federal immigration laws,” Uthmeier posted on X.