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Broward County Sheriff Gregory Tony on Monday pushed back against accusations from Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier that he’s neglecting state-mandated immigration enforcement, issuing a letter affirming his department’s cooperation with federal authorities.

The exchange stemmed from comments Tony made during a June 3 Broward County Commission budget workshop, where he said immigration enforcement was “not one of” BSO’s priorities, and that arresting immigrants in the country illegally is “not within our purview, it’s not within our responsibility, and I won’t participate in it,” according to a sharply worded letter Uthmeier sent Tony on Monday.

Tony’s remarks drew condemnation from the attorney general, who warned that the sheriff’s statements could be interpreted as a violation of a state law requiring local law enforcement leaders “use best efforts” to support federal immigration enforcement, including cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

“You are such an official,” Uthmeier wrote, “and therefore must use ‘best efforts’ to work with federal immigration authorities … Your statements to the contrary suggest you misunderstand or intend to flout these requirements under Florida law.”

Uthmeier cited multiple crimes allegedly committed by undocumented immigrants in Broward County—ranging from voter fraud and human smuggling to sexual assault—as evidence of the need for stronger local enforcement of immigration law.

He also said BSO receives over half of Broward County’s total budget allocations—approximately $765 million—and argued that the agency has ample resources to fulfill its immigration enforcement obligations.

In a response letter to Uthmeier on Monday, Tony defended his department’s actions and clarified the context of his earlier remarks.

“Let me reassure you that, as Sheriff of Broward County, I fully appreciate and understand my responsibilities under Florida law as they pertain to immigration enforcement,” Tony wrote. “BSO has been complying, and will continue to comply, with our obligations under these agreements.”

Tony pointed to existing agreements between BSO and ICE, including one that authorizes trained deputies to serve civil immigration warrants on jail detainees; another that allows BSO to detain immigration violators in jail for for up to 48 hours to allow ICE to take them into custody on warrants; and a third agreement, signed in February 2025, empowering certain deputies to assist in federal immigration enforcement operations upon request, Tony’s letter states.

“BSO is not only enforcing the law against unauthorized aliens who commit crimes in the community; it is a leader in this effort,” Tony wrote.

To support his claim, Tony cited recent high-profile investigations spearheaded by BSO in partnership with federal authorities. Among them:

– The arrest of nine MS-13 gang members responsible for multiple murders in Broward County, which Tony announced in a joint press conference alongside U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi.

-A reopened cold case that led to the identification of a Brazilian foreign national as the suspect in a string of homicides from the early 2000s, in partnership with the FBI and the Department of Justice.

“These are just a few examples cited to reassure you of BSO’s continuing commitment to work with our federal partners to address criminal activity by unauthorized aliens in our community,” Tony wrote, insisting his department remains compliant with its enforcement obligations under state law.

Monday’s controversy highlighted tensions between state officials and Democratic-led counties over the role local law enforcement should play in federal immigration policy.

Tony, a Democrat appointed in 2019 and elected to full terms in 2020 and 2024, has advocated for a focus on violent crime and community engagement—sometimes placing him at odds with Tallahassee’s hardline immigration posture.

Civil rights organizations and immigrant advocates have previously applauded Tony’s efforts, warning that an aggressive approach to immigration enforcement by local police can lead to racial profiling and discourage cooperation with law enforcement.

But Uthmeier’s office has signaled it will not tolerate what it views as local noncompliance. His letter to Tony concluded with a warning that penalties for violating applicable state law could include “injunctive relief, being held in contempt, or removal from office by the Governor.”

It remained to be seen Monday whether the attorney general will take further action or accept Tony’s clarification as sufficient.

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Kevin Deutsch

Kevin Deutsch is an award-winning journalist and author of two nonfiction books. He covers general assignment news and Jewish community issues for Talk Media. He has also worked as a staff writer at The Miami Times, the Rio Grande SUN, the New York Daily News, Newsday, The Miami Herald, The Palm Beach Post, The Riverdale Press, and Bronx Justice News.