Florida’s attorney general is warning Orlando’s mayor that he may be removed from office if he tries to enforce a local sanctuary city law. The showdown underscores tensions between local activism and state immigration enforcement.
Key Facts:
- Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer is under fire for supporting the city’s 2018 “Trust Act,” a sanctuary city policy.
- Florida AG James Uthmeier says the policy is void under a 2019 law signed by Governor Ron DeSantis banning sanctuary cities.
- Uthmeier warned Dyer on X (formerly Twitter) that enforcement could lead to legal action or removal from office.
- Dyer insists Orlando is cooperating with ICE through a 287(g) agreement and will follow federal and state laws.
- The city’s pro-migrant stance has earned praise from activists, with Dyer once celebrated by the NBA for social justice efforts.
The Rest of the Story: Florida Law vs. Local Policy: The Rest of the Story
In 2018, Orlando passed the “Trust Act,” which aimed to shield illegal immigrants from deportation by limiting city cooperation with ICE.
The act became a focal point for immigration activists and earned praise from left-leaning organizations.
However, Florida took a different path.
In 2019, Governor Ron DeSantis signed a law banning sanctuary cities statewide.
That law nullified any conflicting local policies, including Orlando’s Trust Act.
Now, AG James Uthmeier is warning Mayor Buddy Dyer that state law trumps local activism and that enforcing the Trust Act may bring legal consequences.
In his response, Dyer stated that Orlando police are actively working with ICE under a federal 287(g) agreement and undergoing training.
He emphasized a commitment to both federal and state immigration laws—despite the city’s activist history.
Today, I sent a letter to @orlandomayor reminding him that the sanctuary policy adopted by the city in 2018, the ‘Trust Act,’ is void under a 2019 law signed by @GovRonDeSantis.
If the city enforces the policy as Mayor Dyer suggested, especially with @OrlandoPolice signing a… pic.twitter.com/InLAJRIDeQ
— Attorney General James Uthmeier (@AGJamesUthmeier) April 14, 2025
Commentary: Legal Accountability for Local Leaders
If Mayor Dyer attempts to enforce a policy that Florida law clearly forbids, Governor DeSantis should act swiftly and decisively to remove him.
It’s not just about politics—it’s about the rule of law.
Public officials don’t get to cherry-pick which laws to follow and which to ignore.
That path leads to chaos, not order.
Dyer’s reassurances about working with ICE may be nothing more than political cover.
After all, this is the same mayor who championed a sanctuary policy in the first place and was praised for his “social justice” agenda.
That’s not the resume of someone committed to strict law enforcement.
The Florida AG is absolutely correct to send a warning.
Too many local officials across the country have hidden behind activism while undermining immigration enforcement.
But Florida has made its position clear: sanctuary policies are illegal, period.
If Dyer moves forward with implementing any part of the Trust Act, it should trigger immediate legal and political consequences.
The governor has not only the right but the duty to enforce state law and hold rogue officials accountable.
The state legislature already weighed in back in 2019.
If Dyer wants to challenge that, he should do so in court—not by quietly defying the law.
Anything less sets a dangerous precedent for cities across Florida.
The Bottom Line: Legal Battle Over Orlando Mayor Remover Threat
Mayor Buddy Dyer is walking a political tightrope between immigration activism and state law.
Florida’s top law enforcement officials have warned him clearly—sanctuary policies will not be tolerated.
If Dyer tries to sidestep the law, the governor must step in and remove him from office.
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