TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — The city of South Miami plans to sue Florida over a new law that bans local governments from enacting "sanctuary" policies.
The mayor and city commissioners voted unanimously during a special meeting Tuesday to join legal action being prepared by the Southern Poverty Law Center.
The bill Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed last month requires all law enforcement agencies cooperate with federal immigration authorities.
The new law prohibits local governments from enacting polices that protect immigrants in the country illegally from deportation. It requires law enforcement honor U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainers for immigrants in the country illegally who are arrested or convicted of a crime.
South Miami Mayor Philip Stoddard said the law creates divisions and may make some people afraid to call police. Officials also expressed concern that it will add financial costs to the police department.
