City Commission Votes to Consider Challenging ICE Agreement in Court

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.