ORLANDO, Fla. — Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier says Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer will comply with state and federal immigration laws.

On Monday, following a visit to Orlando, Uthmeier threatened Dyer that failure to comply could result in removal from office over what the AG said was the mayor’s intention to adhere to Orlando’s Trust Act policy.

What You Need To Know

  • Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer says he will comply with immigration laws after a warning from Florida attorney general 

  • The dispute surrounds a 2018 policy the city implemented called the Trust Act, which prevents inquiries into immigration status by city employees and law enforcement

  • A local nonprofit leader and Florida House candidate voiced strong opposition to Dyer's stance

That policy was put in place in 2018. It prevented city employees and law enforcement officers from inquiring about a person’s immigration status.

“I can assure the attorney general, that the city of Orlando is fully compliant with state and federal law, and we will continue to follow state and federal laws and trump’s local ordinances,” said Dyer. “We don’t view the Trust Act as having been a sanctuary city policy, although, the term sanctuary city means different things to different people.”

Now, the leader of local nonprofit, Hope CommUnity Center, worries about the safety of immigrants.

“I came to the United States when I was 14 years old,” said Executive Director Felipe Sousa-Lazaballet. “I was undocumented for 15 years of my life. I know exactly what it’s like to get in a car and not know if that’s the last time you’re going to be in this country.”

Sousa-Lazaballet helps serve over 20,000 people across Central Florida every year and has a special connection to immigrants that cross his path.

Dyer’s comments came as a disappointment to Sousa-Lazaballet

“I am surprised that Mayor Dyer is essentially saying that he’s going to do whatever he wants, whatever they want, instead of standing up for the community that he was elected to serve,” he said.

In the wake of this, Sousa-Lazaballet says he’s struggled to know what to say to those who come in for help, but is making one message clear.

“In the United States, we have the right to remain silent and we have the right to an attorney,” said Sousa-Lazaballet. “So if you are stopped by a police officer and they ask you about your immigration status, you have the right to say nothing, and please do so.”

Sousa-Lazaballet is also running for election to the Florida House of Representatives to represent District 42.