In eight months, Key West has lost nearly 500 immigrants to federal authorities. Most of the people who have been removed, detained in a federal facility and/or deported “are Latino individuals with pending immigration cases, Social Security numbers, and valid work permits,” states a press release from the Key West Immigrant Support Network.
“Families have been separated, workplaces disrupted and entire households left in uncertainty,” states the release, announcing a peaceful two-day work stoppage planned by the local Latin immigrant community in an effort to show how vital they are to the workforce. The stoppage is slated to occur Friday and Saturday, Feb. 27 and 28.
Kerry Baker, executive director of the Key West Chamber of Commerce, which counts more than 400 businesses as members, declined to comment on the planned strike.
Lucy Hawk, co-founder of the immigrant support network, emphasized to the Keys Weekly that the network is not organizing the work stoppage. The Latino community conceived of the idea and is carrying it out, Hawk said.
The network is helping to publicize the two-day stoppage on its Facebook and Instagram pages in English and Spanish.
“The two-day strike is designed to show the real economic and social impact of continued immigration enforcement actions. To highlight that impact, Latino community leaders are encouraging the following: No school. No work. No restaurants. No deliveries. No shopping. It is intended to provide a visible, undeniable snapshot of what the island would look like without the immigrant workforce that sustains its economy,” the press release states.
Alongside the work strike, the Key West Immigrant Support Network is organizing a mass solidarity protest both mornings from 8 a.m. to noon outside the Homeland Security building at 2000 N. Roosevelt Blvd.
“No one should live in constant fear of being taken from their family while contributing to their community,” strike and protest organizers said. “Due process, stability and the right to work and support one’s children are fundamental values — and our neighbors deserve those protections.
“Organizers emphasize that this action is entirely peaceful and lawful. It is intended to provide a visible, undeniable snapshot of what the island would look like without the immigrant workforce that sustains its economy.
“Business owners, employers, faith leaders and residents across the island are being urged to stand in solidarity and recognize the essential role immigrant families play in the strength and identity of the community,” the press release states.
Police chief on protests, enforcement
Key West Police Chief Sean Brandenburg told the Keys Weekly on Wednesday, Feb. 25 that prior immigration protests have been peaceful and organizers have always kept the police department informed.
“They’ve done multiple protests and every time they’ve communicated with KWPD about their intentions and we do everything possible to ensure everyone’s safety on both sides,” Brandenburg said, adding that there have been incidents of two sides yelling at each other, but no violence.
When asked about a Feb. 17 incident in which a U.S. Border Patrol agent stopped a driver at a North Roosevelt Boulevard shopping center for alleged traffic violations, Brandenburg said, “I don’t know under what authority they’re doing traffic stops. They can hear our radios, but we can’t hear theirs.”
During the Feb. 17 incident, Key West Police Officer William Howell wrote in a report that he had “self-initiated backup for U.S. Customs and Border Patrol. A traffic stop was initiated by CBP, in reference to several traffic infractions including at least one failure to signal and one illegal lane change,” Howell wrote. His report said that the driver, who was not in the country illegally, tried to flee. The passenger was handcuffed temporarily during the incident, but was immediately released when it was revealed that he is a U.S. citizen. The driver was detained by federal officials and taken to Krome Detention Center, Howell wrote.
Commissioner seeks immigration info
City Commissioner Sam Kaufman, who is running for mayor, on Wednesday, Feb. 25, emailed city manager Brian L. Barroso requesting “reports, data or updates … regarding the 287(g) agreement entered into with our federal partners last year.”
Kaufman tells Barroso, “I would like to make sure that commissioners have clear and accurate information as we respond to community concerns in a thoughtful and informed way. Specifically, I would appreciate clarification on:
“• Whether there have been any documented instances of Key West Police Department involvement related to immigration enforcement activities under the agreement.
“• Any costs incurred by the city or KWPD associated with the 287(g) agreement, including whether reimbursement requests have been submitted or received consistent with the terms of the program.
“• Any internal reports, summaries, or updates provided by KWPD to city management that could be circulated so commissioners can better understand how the agreement has been operating in practice.”
Finally, Kaufman asks Barroso to advise: “Whether any KWPD personnel have completed the required ICE training and certification process; and whether there is any information that can be shared with the commission regarding participation levels or training status under the agreement.”
“My goal is simply to ensure that commissioners have accurate, transparent information regarding implementation, fiscal impacts and operational outcomes, while being mindful of operational sensitivities and personnel considerations,” Kaufman writes.
Kaufman told the Keys Weekly on Feb. 25, “Some folks are very nervous and upset and I see that some of this anxiety is directly related to the lack of information.”
