Key West made a democratic decision: its leaders voted to end a local police partnership with ICE after serious concerns were raised about wrongful detentions. This is what local government is for — responding to the needs and values of the people it serves.

But now, Governor Ron DeSantis’s administration is threatening to punish the city, possibly by cutting funding, simply for making a choice it believes will keep its community safer and more just. This isn’t just about immigration policy — it’s about whether cities like Key West have the right to govern themselves without retaliation from state leaders.

The Florida Constitution allows local governments to decide how to protect their communities. When the state steps in to override these decisions, it sets a dangerous precedent.

We call on Governor DeSantis and the Florida Department of Management Services to respect Key West’s autonomy and stop using state power to bully cities that make independent choices. Let local voices lead — not political threats.