Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier is warning Tampa Mayor Jane Castor: change the city’s immigration policies — or risk state intervention.
In a letter sent Wednesday, Uthmeier accused the Tampa Police Department of effectively operating under a “sanctuary policy,” pointing to rules that limit when officers can share information with federal immigration authorities.
“TPD’s policies prohibiting its officers from sharing certain information with federal immigration authorities… effectively establishes a sanctuary policy,” Uthmeier wrote.
At the center of the dispute is a policy that prevents officers from sharing the immigration status of crime victims and witnesses with federal authorities. The city says the rule exists for a reason: people are more likely to report crimes if they don’t fear deportation.
Uthmeier made clear he disagrees.
“But we want illegal aliens to fear immigration consequences to the extent they are here unlawfully,” he wrote.
Immigration advocates say that approach could discourage victims from coming forward. Federal programs administered by the Department of Homeland Security allow victims of human trafficking, domestic violence and dozens of other crimes to apply for temporary legal status if they assist law enforcement.
Immigration attorney Lisette Sanchez said those protections can be critical.
“This is going to prevent illegal immigrants — yes, they are illegal — but people who do not have a criminal record from accessing benefits they could qualify for if they are able to report the crime,” she said.
Uthmeier also criticized a Tampa Police Department rule barring officers from conducting “broad-based” immigration enforcement operations, calling the language vague and warning it could undermine cooperation with federal officials.
The attorney general gave Tampa until March 31 to reverse the policies — and suggested the consequences could be serious. If the city refuses, he warned, Gov. Ron DeSantis could remove Castor from office.
That wouldn’t be unprecedented.
In 2022, DeSantis suspended Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren after accusing him of refusing to enforce certain laws.
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