US EditionTampa Police Policy Revised After Florida AG Threatens Mayor's Removal
Mayor Castor removed disputed sanctuary language and limited immigration enforcement to ICE-trained officers after Florida AG threatened legal action and removal from office.
- Following a warning from Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor revised the Tampa Police Department's immigration enforcement procedures on Monday to align with Florida Statute requirements.
- Uthmeier threatened last week to remove Castor, labeling the city's previous guidelines as "unlawful" sanctuary policies. He argued these restrictions "flout our Nation's immigration laws" and jeopardize public safety.
- The revised TPD SOP removes language that previously prohibited officers from sharing information about crime victims or witnesses with federal immigration authorities. Under the new rules, only "Designated Immigration Officers" may exercise immigration enforcement authorities.
- Incorporating language from Florida Statutes, the policy clarifies officers are not required to provide information regarding victims or witnesses cooperating with investigations under specified circumstances. Castor stated, "The City of Tampa has no intention of violating state or federal law."
- The Tampa Police Department told FOX 13 on Wednesday that six officers and two supervisors participate in the federal 287 program. Uthmeier claims this partnership helps minimize safety risks amid ongoing debate over local law enforcement's immigration role.
11 Articles
11 Articles
Tampa Police Dept. revises its immigration policies following AG’s warning
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor addressing reporters in Tampa on Oct. 7, 2024. (Photo by Mitch Perry/Florida Phoenix)The Tampa Police Department has revised its policies on immigration enforcement in response to a demand Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier issued last week. Uthmeier had accused the department of having “sanctuary policies” and threatened to remove Mayor Jane Castor from office unless the city backed down. “The city of Tampa has no i…
Jane Castor responds to James Uthmeier warning, revises Tampa Police immigration policy
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor has announced a revised Tampa Police Department immigration policy in response to a warning from Attorney General James Uthmeier. Castor sent a letter to Uthmeier confirming the city updated the Department’s policy and added language directly from Florida statutes governing cooperation with federal immigration authorities. “We intend to publish and distribute the updated policy to our officers effective immediately,” Cast…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 75% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
