Tensions Cool Between Florida AG and Broward Sheriff After Immigration Comments Stir Controversy

Relations seem to be getting better between Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier and Broward County Sheriff Gregory Tony following a short yet intense disagreement over immigration enforcement.

The saga kicked off last week when Sheriff Tony, straightforwardly expressing himself at a county commission session, made it crystal clear that immigration wasn’t at the head of his department’s agenda. “We have other priorities in this community that I’m focused on, and immigration is not one of them,” he said. Tony went further to point out that although persons who have committed any offence in Broward, irrespective of where they are from, are going to face the consequences, his department would not be going after the workers who are immigrants and are contributing positively to the society even if it was just because of their status.

The response did not go down well with AG Uthmeier, who immediately wrote a letter asking for clarification. According to the Florida law, the local law enforcement is obliged to cooperate with ICE, the federal immigration agency. Uthmeier even went so far as to hint at possible consequences – up to and including possible removal from office – were the sheriff not willing to conform to the law.
However, Sheriff Tony shot back with a letter of his own to say that he is well-aware of the law and his responsibilities and that there should not be any confusion about that. He stressed that while his department is sticking to the task of crime prevention, this also involves crimes committed by undocumented immigrants. In other words, he was not retreating from the enforcement of the law – the only thing he intended was to get it across that his approach was going to be careful and community-centered, not forceful.

AG Uthmeier mentioned Tony’s reaction on X (formerly Twitter) social media as his response and said that he was grateful for the sheriff’s “reversal” and for his commitment to collaborating with both state and federal immigration agencies.

Not directly addressing Sheriff Tony, Governor Ron DeSantis made it clear how he felt. The governor was equally as explicit during a public event when he told the audience: “Believe me, you will comply with the law, or you will be unemployed.” The governor’s message, albeit not directly, hardly left any room for doubt regarding the extent of the state’s eagerness to work with the local government on immigration.

However, the Sheriff had certain people speaking up for him. Broward County Commissioner Steve Geller openly stated his support of the sheriff, saying that, in his opinion, the sheriff is doing his best to comply with the law and keep the existing agreements with ICE. “He made it clear that his top goal was not to arrest immigrants, and I have to say I agree with him,” Geller remarked. “On the other hand, he also said that he will obey the law and do whatever is necessary.”

Geller even insinuated that the entire affair might have been exaggerated, even politicized. “Tony made it clear that his top priority is violent crime, and I concur with him,’’ he said.

In that sense, it is very likely that the case caused provoking arguments; however, both sides seem to have come to an agreement now, – at least in theory. Sheriff Tony still remains true to his people-oriented law enforcement policy, while the Attorney General is content – so the word has it – that the sheriff is in accordance with state policy for now.