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Florida Attorney General Launches Investigation into Jacksonville’s Hispanic Outreach Coordinator
Florida’s Attorney General James Uthmeier has subpoenaed the city of Jacksonville in a criminal investigation targeting the city’s Hispanic outreach coordinator, Yanira Cardona, over allegations she interfered with immigration enforcement operations.
The subpoena, announced Monday by Uthmeier on social media platform X, demands the city produce emails, text messages, social media communications and other records related to Cardona’s activities between January 2-16. City officials have until February 20 to comply with the request.
The investigation follows a controversial video Cardona posted on her personal Instagram account in which she discussed recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in Jacksonville and offered advice to community members about navigating interactions with immigration officials. Though Cardona reportedly emphasized compliance with officers in the video, state prosecutors are examining whether her actions violated Florida law.
“If there’s evidence that [Mayor Donna Deegan’s] administration coordinated to impede immigration enforcement and harbor criminal aliens, we will hold them accountable!” Uthmeier wrote in his social media announcement.
The subpoena specifically seeks communications related to law enforcement agencies including ICE, Customs and Border Protection, Homeland Security, Florida Highway Patrol, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. It also requests records containing terms such as “Nazi,” “Gestapo,” and “stormtrooper,” suggesting investigators are examining potential criticisms of immigration enforcement.
Cardona, who serves as Jacksonville’s first Hispanic outreach coordinator under Mayor Deegan’s administration, had briefly been suspended following the video but has since returned to her position. According to Melissa Ross, Deegan’s director of strategic initiatives, Cardona remains employed as the investigation proceeds.
The Deegan administration has characterized the investigation as politically motivated. “Instead of addressing the pocketbook concerns of Floridians — including property insurance, housing costs, and health care — the attorney general is once again on a hyper-partisan fishing expedition as we enter election season,” said Phil Perry, the city’s chief communications officer, in an email statement.
Perry emphasized that the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, not the mayor, has responsibility for coordination with immigration agencies. “We are confident that a review of the facts will show the administration acted lawfully, as we always do,” he added.
The investigation relates to Florida’s immigration enforcement law signed last year, which created a state board to coordinate with federal officials on immigration matters and established a $250 million grant program for local law enforcement to assist federal enforcement efforts.
At a news conference in Green Cove Springs on Monday, Uthmeier addressed the investigation, saying, “If there was a coordinated effort for this city official to work with other city employees or outside organizations to try to thwart our effort to enforce the law, then we will hold these wrongdoers accountable.” He also mentioned potential “federal angles” to the case, including possible violations of the Racketeering Influence and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO).
This investigation represents the latest in a series of public criticisms by Uthmeier toward the Deegan administration. In January, his communications director questioned Mayor Deegan’s appearance at the Ramallah Club’s Jacksonville Chapter, highlighting a traditional Palestinian scarf (keffiyeh) visible in photos of the event. Uthmeier has also shared dashcam footage of immigration enforcement actions in Jacksonville on social media.
Immigrant advocates have defended Cardona and criticized the state’s investigation. Maria Garcia, an organizer with the Jacksonville Immigrants Rights Alliance, called the subpoena politically motivated and defended sharing information about law enforcement presence. “It’s ridiculous. You’re allowed to tell people about the presence of law enforcement,” Garcia told Jacksonville Today. “I don’t think you can in any way tie that to impeding enforcement.”
The investigation highlights growing tensions between state and local governments over immigration enforcement policies in Florida, a state that has increasingly implemented stricter measures targeting undocumented immigrants under the current administration.
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11 Comments
As a resident, I’m concerned about the potential for this controversy to divide the community further. Regardless of the outcome, I hope all parties can work together to find constructive solutions.
This seems like a classic clash between local and federal authority. I’ll be closely following the developments to understand how the courts ultimately rule on the boundaries of jurisdiction.
This is a complex and sensitive issue. I’ll be monitoring the developments closely to see how the city responds to the subpoena and what the ultimate outcome reveals about the boundaries of local authority.
As a concerned citizen, I hope this investigation is conducted objectively and that the findings help clarify the roles and responsibilities of local governments in immigration matters.
While I understand the desire to protect vulnerable communities, it’s important that local officials follow the law and don’t interfere with federal immigration enforcement. This subpoena raises important questions about the boundaries of their authority.
Agreed, the legal lines here seem murky. I hope the investigation provides clarity on what is and isn’t permitted under the law.
While I sympathize with the desire to support immigrant communities, the city officials may have overstepped their bounds. The law must be applied fairly and consistently across the board.
Well said. Enforcing the law selectively undermines the integrity of the entire system.
This is a complex issue with valid concerns on both sides. I’m curious to see how the investigation unfolds and what the facts reveal about the city’s actions and communications.
Immigration is a sensitive and politically charged topic. I appreciate the AG taking this matter seriously, but the city’s motives and actions need to be thoroughly examined before drawing any conclusions.
Absolutely, due process is critical here. The public deserves a transparent and impartial investigation.