Credit: Photo via Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings/Facebook

In his latest attempt at instilling immigration enforcement tactics in local governments throughout the state, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier is now threatening Orange County leaders for refusing to transport immigration detainees to federal facilities.

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Uthmeier on Tuesday shared a letter addressed to Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings and county commissioners, warning them of repercussions for failure to sign a new, voluntary addendum to the county’s 287(g) Warrant Service Officer Agreement. The addendum would allow county correction officers to transport immigrants to federal detention facilities when requested by ICE.

“The commission should always prioritize the safety of its residents over the misguided views of left-wing activists,” the letter reads.

The county in a July 15 meeting rejected the proposal, which is completely voluntary for recipients to sign. Neither federal nor state law requires Orange County to opt in.

In his letter, Uthmeier cites Florida law that local governments are required to use “best efforts” to assist with federal immigration enforcement. He argues failure to sign the addendum is in violation of the law.

“I will not agree for our correction staff to transport federal inmates to other facilities,” Demings said in the meeting. “That’s the federal government’s responsibility — it’s not our responsibility to do that.”

Orange County corrections chief Louis Quinones mirrored the sentiment, admitting such a service would “negatively impact” the correctional department’s resources. He informed the Florida Sheriff’s Association of the county’s position in late June, to which they responded they “understood” the county’s position, he said.

“We did not sign that addendum because we were not required to by law,” Quinones said. “We want our correctional staff inside the Orange County Jail doing what they are entrusted to do.”

Uthmeier argues the county’s refusal to sign the addendum means Orange County has adopted a sanctuary policy, which are prohibited in Florida.

In his letter, Uthmeier says county leaders may be removed from office if the agreement is not adopted.

“Failure to take correction action will result in the enforcement of all applicable civil and criminal penalties, including the removal from office by the Governor pursuant to section 908.107, Florida Statutes, and the Florida Constitution,” the letter reads.

Demings and Orange County commissioners are expected to again discuss the addendum at its next meeting on Aug. 5.

Uthmeier’s threat comes just days after Florida’s newly appointed Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia said the state will audit Orange County’s spending as part of Florida’s DOGE efforts.

The DOGE team, with Ingoglia and the Office of Policy and Budget, requested access to data systems, physical premises and personnel at the Orange County Administration Building to investigate about 60 different areas of county finances. These include county contracts; salaries of county staffers; spending on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives “or so-called anti-racism”; spending on efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and homelessness programs, among others.

Demings said the county is prepared to cooperate fully.

Earlier this year, Uthmeier targeted Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer with a similarly threatening letter over the city’s immigration policies. Uthmeier warned Dyer he could be removed from office for failure to comply with Florida’s sanctuary policy ban. Dyer maintained the city’s policy was lawful.

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This article appears in Jul 30 – Aug 5, 2025.

Chloe Greenberg is the Digital Content Editor for Orlando Weekly.