ORLANDO, Fla. – Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier is threatening to remove Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer from office if the city continues a policy that prohibits employees or police from asking a law-abiding person about their immigration status.
In a letter addressed to Dyer on Monday, Uthmeier called Orlando’s “Trust Act Policy” unlawful and warned the mayor about consequences if it continues.
“Sanctuary policies are not tolerated or lawful in Florida,” Uthmeier wrote. “Failure to abide by state law may result in the enforcement of applicable penalties, including but not limited to being held in contempt, declaratory or injunctive relief, and removal from office.”
Orlando adopted the Trust Act in 2018 as there were concerns that residents would not report a crime over fears of deportation.
In a council meeting last week, Dyer stressed that the policy remains in place.
“If somebody is subject to a traffic stop or calls the police to report a crime, the police will not ask what their status is and will not be subject to any proactive activities of that sort,” Dyer said.
Uthmeier said the Trust Act is void under a 2019 law signed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and reminded Dyer that the city is under an agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
In a post on social media, Uthmeier wrote: “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 287(g) agreement with ICE, there will be consequences.”
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.
— Attorney General James Uthmeier (@AGJamesUthmeier) April 14, 2025
If the city enforces the policy as Mayor Dyer suggested, especially with @OrlandoPolice signing a… pic.twitter.com/InLAJRIDeQ
Orlando’s agreement with ICE was signed earlier this month and the city issued a statement at the time.
“As a municipal government, the City of Orlando does not have the ability to pick and choose which laws are followed when handed down by the federal or state government. This does not change the city’s commitment to ensuring Orlando remains a welcoming community,” a spokesperson said.
In response, Dyer released a letter he sent the attorney general on Tuesday.
“Neither I nor the Orlando Police Department have any intention of violating federal or state law, and as you know, we have signed the Memorandum of Agreement 287(g) Task Force Model with ICE,” Dyer wrote.
The full letter is below.
