Jacksonville Mayor’s Directive Sparks Controversy Over Immigration Enforcement
In a move that has ignited fierce debate, Jacksonville, Florida, Mayor Donna Deegan, through the city’s Office of General Counsel, issued a directive advising the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) not to enforce state or local immigration laws. This development, reported on May 30, 2025, by outlets like The Gateway Pundit and Breitbart News, has drawn sharp criticism from Republican leaders and highlighted tensions between local governance and state-level immigration policies. The directive, detailed in an email from General Counsel Michael Fackler, cites a federal court injunction as the basis for advising against enforcement, stirring accusations of overreach and defiance of Florida’s immigration agenda.
The controversy began when Jacksonville City Council President-Elect Kevin Carrico revealed the mayor’s directive during an interview with Florida’s Voice. Carrico described an email from the Office of General Counsel, appointed by Mayor Deegan, instructing the sheriff not to enforce Florida’s state immigration law or a recently passed local ordinance. The local ordinance, modeled after the state law, was designed to align with Governor Ron DeSantis’ push for stringent immigration enforcement, including cooperation with federal agencies like U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Carrico called the mayor’s move an “overreach,” predicting intervention from DeSantis or Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, as the directive appears to conflict with the state’s aggressive stance on illegal immigration.
The mayor’s office defended the directive as “legal advice” rather than a binding order, emphasizing that it lacks authority over the JSO, an independent entity. The email from Fackler specifically referenced a federal injunction issued by U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams, which temporarily blocked enforcement of Florida’s new state immigration law. This law, signed by DeSantis in February 2025, makes it a misdemeanor for undocumented migrants to enter Florida without federal inspection, aligning with President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown. The injunction, extended after reports of arrests violating the initial order, was cited as applying to both state and local laws due to their similarities. The mayor’s office argued that compliance with the federal ruling was necessary to avoid costly lawsuits against the city.
Critics, however, see the directive as a direct challenge to Florida’s immigration enforcement framework. Posts on X, including from users like @mummykins11 and @ImpartialObser1, expressed outrage, with some suggesting DeSantis would not tolerate such defiance in a state known for its hardline stance on illegal immigration. Florida’s 287(g) agreements, which enable all 67 sheriff’s offices to assist ICE with street-level enforcement and detain undocumented immigrants, underscore the state’s commitment to federal cooperation. DeSantis has repeatedly emphasized that local officials must comply or face consequences, including potential removal from office. The Jacksonville directive, therefore, is viewed by some as undermining these efforts, particularly as the state ramps up operations, such as the arrest of over 100 undocumented immigrants at a Tallahassee construction site on May 29, 2025.
The JSO, for its part, has maintained that it will continue to enforce federal, state, and local laws, signaling a potential disregard for the mayor’s guidance. This stance aligns with broader state efforts, as seen in DeSantis’ announcements of expanded agreements with ICE and the Florida Highway Patrol’s role in executing federal warrants. The mayor’s directive has also drawn parallels to other local resistance, such as Lake Worth Beach Mayor Betty Resch’s refusal to cooperate with ICE training, as noted in an April 2025 post on X. These incidents highlight a growing divide between some Democratic-led municipalities and the Republican-dominated state government, with DeSantis vowing to enforce compliance through measures like fines or removal of non-cooperative officials.
As the situation unfolds, the clash in Jacksonville underscores broader tensions over immigration enforcement in Florida. The federal injunction, set to be reviewed further, has already led to heated exchanges, with DeSantis and Uthmeier criticizing Judge Williams for overstepping her authority. Meanwhile, advocacy groups like the ACLU of Florida, led by Bacardi Jackson, argue that state laws encroach on federal powers, violating the Supremacy Clause. With Florida’s sheriffs preparing for increased enforcement under Trump’s deportation plans, the mayor’s directive risks escalating into a legal and political showdown, potentially drawing intervention from state or federal authorities. For now, Jacksonville remains a flashpoint in the ongoing debate over how local governments navigate the complex interplay of state, federal, and judicial mandates on immigration.
