A motion by City Commissioner Jeremy Matlow requesting the city attorney to provide information on the steps required to challenge the legality of agreements between the city and ICE passed unanimously at the Wednesday city commission meeting.
Matlow’s motion was preceded by an update from TPD Chief Revell related to the actions that are required under the 287 (g) agreement. Revell told the commissioners that one officer has completed training related to inputting data related to illegal immigrants that are arrested. Revell noted TPD officers do not seek to determine the immigration status during traffic stops and do not participate in immigration enforcement actions.
Matlow’s motion also included a request for information on the status of a current lawsuit in South Miami related to 287 (g) agreements and to determine if there are ways for the city to participate in that lawsuit.
The South Miami lawsuit is seeking a ruling that the city is not obligated to enter a 287(g) agreement and that it would not be considered a sanctuary city — a designation that carries penalties — if it does not enter such an agreement.
Florida State Attorney General James Uthmeier recently filed a motion arguing that a Leon County circuit judge should dismiss the case, which the city of South Miami filed in March, a little more than a month after state lawmakers passed a package of changes to support President Donald Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigrants.
Tallahassee Officials Sign Agreement
At the center of the controversy is the city’s signing of a 287(g) agreement which was executed by the city manager and police chief as an administrative action, without city commission approval. The agreement allows one TPD officer to assist with immigration-related arrests, particularly violent offenders.
Critics, including Commissioner Jack Porter, object to the lack of transparency and want clarity on the city’s role in enforcing federal immigration laws. Porter is also interested in knowing if signing the agreement is legally required.
In response, Porter, along with Commissioner Jeremy Matlow and Mayor John Dailey, voted 3–2 vote back in June to bring the agreement back for further discussion.
@Beppo, here, let me do your legwork for you.
https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/ice-worksite-enforcement-operation-uncovers-widespread-identity-theft-affecting-more
This will be my last comment on this article; TR is a great echo chamber.
@Ernest, from what I read, the Kentucky situation hasn't been fully investigated. Also, the only article I found mentioning social security stated that the documents included fake social security cards and birth certificates; fake does not equal stolen. If you have another relevant source, feel free to share.
@DavidB, what does that have to do with Tallahassee? How many people are killed in automobile accidents in South Florida by U.S. citizens? No need to answer, because it's not relevant.
@Beppo Ask the family of the people killed by the illegal truck driver in south Florida.
@Beppo, what do you think an I-9 audit is supposed to find?
Your only counter argument to that is for the construction firms to be knowingly employing illegal aliens.
It is a known fact that many illegals, just look at the Kentucky whistleblower situation, use forged and stolen identity documents for employment.
@Earnest, that's a whole lot of speculation.
@beppo, if those construction workers are illegals and working, they likely are doing so with stolen identities. They don't have social security numbers. Those numbers have to come from somewhere. Or, like in Kentucky, they are providing false documents to the DMV along with bribe money and being given government documents obtained through identity theft or fraud.
Why don't you just admit that you're far more comfortable with an easily exploited underclass with no legal protections, no employment protections, no worker's comp protections, all so you can feel smugly superior to people who would much rather everyone around them be law abiding citizens?
@ gozoypaz = According to the Leon County School Board, They Poled everyone in Leon County and said that the MAJORITY of Leon County WANTS them to raise our Property Taxes. It's "For the Children". I have yet to ever answer a Pole from any Local Government or Group but, some how I answered this one.
Are constituents EVER polled on issues before the FIVE put polemic issues to a vote? Exactly who is it that they represent?
Beppo, so it is your belief that foreign persons should be allowed into our country without proper identification.
@Tony, I'll rephrase. How does deporting construction workers protect the citizens of Florida?
@ Beppo : What are you talking about? That has NOTHING to do with what he said. David is right.
@ E Lyle - yeah - i think awhile back before Jeremy Matlow or Jack Porter were told to care about it
@David, defend the citizens of Florida from construction and agriculture, or from school-aged children?
I'm curious, did the Leon County Sheriff enter into a similar "agreement"?
If you are refusing to help Federal Law Enforcement to Protect the Citizens of Florida, you are actually telling the Citizens of Florida that you DON'T CARE ABOUT THEM.
it was unanimous. 5-0
Put the pipe down Melody.
I’m thinking Matlow’s California puppet master is dictating this initiative.
He has gotten more handsome