Photo: CHANDAN KHANNA / AFP / Getty Images
(Key West, FL) - Key West City leaders and business owners are concerned about a recent agreement the police chief signed with ICE to enforce deportations.
Commissioner Sam Kaufman says the Police Chief got permission from the city manager to sign the contract with ICE but, as an attorney, he believes the contract should be approved by the city commission.
As a result, a special session of the City Commission has been called to address concerns about documented people being taken from their workplace.
Commissioner Kaufman says 145 business owners have signed on in protest of the ICE raids and are concerned about employees being taken from the workplace
Kaufman says Key West is a small island and it's difficult for hospitality, restaurant and construction businesses to replace employees.
The special session will be held on June 30th, and all are welcome to attend.
Among the key concerns to be discussed:
• How was the 287(g) Task Force Memorandum of Agreement implemented without formal review or approval by the City Commission?
• What are the budgetary impacts of this program on city resources, and how might the city seek reimbursement for unauthorized expenditures?
• How many legal residents have been detained under this enforcement activity?
• How many of those detained have criminal records, and what are the broader community impacts?