Last Wednesday, Orlando, Florida, Mayor Jerry Demings was full of empty bluster when he vowed to “never” sign an agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Demings told reporters, “I’m not going to be bullied by the State Attorney General.”
By Friday, Demings capitulated.
“I am not going to be bullied by the state attorney general,” Mayor Jerry Demings said.
AG James Uthmeier warned him & Orange County commissioners Gov. DeSantis could remove them from office for refusing to sign addendum to jail’s 287(g) with ICE. https://t.co/YT4CTe9j3A @WESH pic.twitter.com/Jy5p6dNQnp
— Justin Schecker (@justin_schecker) July 31, 2025
Demings was responding to Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier’s warning that put Orange County leaders on notice that Governor Ron DeSantis could remove them for not adopting a modified agreement with ICE.
The addendum to the agreement allows ICE to partner with state and local officials and correctional officers to transport detainees to other detention facilities, including “Alligator Alcatraz.”
AG Uthmeier sent a July 29 letter to Demings and all six county commissioners after learning Demings directed Orange County Corrections to reject the ICE and the Florida Sheriffs Association’s addendum.
Uthmeier wrote, “By rejecting this addendum presented by ICE and Florida Sheriffs, you adopted a sanctuary policy and failed to exercise best efforts in support of the enforcement of federal immigration law.”
Further, Uthmeier noted, “Failure to take corrective action will result in the enforcement of all applicable and civil criminal penalties, including removal from office by the Governor pursuant to section 908.107, Florida Statutes, and the Florida Constitution.”
Florida law forbids sanctuary policies and requires locals to use “best efforts” to assist with immigration enforcement.
The Orange County Commission must adopt the ICE Addendum and allow Corrections Officers to transport illegal aliens to approved detention facilities. pic.twitter.com/EvYEp476xt
— Attorney General James Uthmeier (@AGJamesUthmeier) July 29, 2025
On Friday, Demings signed the agreement.
“Yes, I signed the damn thing.” Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings said during a press conference on Friday, addressing the modified ICE agreement he signed earlier the same day.
“I have a responsibility to the citizens of Orange County,” Demings said.
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“It is my responsibility as the CEO of this county to make sure that they are safe. Responsible for making the community safe by working with local law enforcement,” Demings said. “We are going to continue to fight. We are watching very carefully.”
#BreakingNews Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, amid threats of possible removal by Gov. DeSantis, signed the addendum to the jail’s 287(g) agreement with ICE to authorize correctional officers to transport detainees to other detention facilities. https://t.co/YT4CTe9j3A @WESH pic.twitter.com/wcOCZAtqwn
— Justin Schecker (@justin_schecker) August 1, 2025
Attorney General James Uthmeier thanked Demings for “changing course” and “doing what is right and required by Florida law.”
Thank you, Mayor Demings, for changing course this morning and doing what is right and required by Florida law.
We appreciate Orange County’s efforts to support ICE with immigration enforcement. https://t.co/C1bAUr4Afr pic.twitter.com/eNEZVhooub
— Attorney General James Uthmeier (@AGJamesUthmeier) August 1, 2025
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