Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers are making the rounds in Jacksonville, and consequences are being felt in City Hall, as a city official who advised her Instagram followers on how to avoid arrest and how to react if they are taken into custody has been put on administrative leave
Yanira Cardona, the city’s Hispanic Outreach Coordinator appointed by Mayor Donna Deegan, said early Wednesday that people who are taken in should “comply,” but they should have a plan because “they’re out in Jacksonville.”
By the end of the day, a Deegan spokesperson said Cardona was on leave while the administration addressed the matter.
Here’s some of what led to her suspension.
“We are living in very difficult times, but my best advice is: 1. Have a plan in place with your lawyers. 2. Give someone you trust power of attorney for your business and your children. 3. If you are stopped by law enforcement, please cooperate and follow their instructions/orders,” Cardona wrote Wednesday, with a video explaining where people should be most careful.
The video was posted during business hours on a weekday and appears to be filmed in an office in City Hall, though the barking of a dog at one point suggests that may not be the case.
“ICE is out and about,” she said. “They are doing speed traps. They are, they’ve been seen on Emerson, on Beach Boulevard, on Atlantic and on the highway. They are targeting, literally, they’re targeting any lawn care companies, any AC company construction vans. They’re literally stopping them just to make sure that they have their paperwork.”
“I wish I could do more, and I wish I could say more. But this is the best I could do,” Cardona added.
Cardona’s comments elicited backlash.
Attorney General James Uthmeier said “this is illegal and needs to be seriously addressed!
“My office will be writing a response on this. Absolutely unacceptable! Her actions are not in alignment with Florida’s immigration laws. I want to know how many more taxpayers dollars are paying for salaries encouraging lawlessness?,” asked Rep. Kiyan Michael.
“Florida taxpayers should not foot the bill for deranged anti-ICE rants on how to evade law endorsement. Mayor Deegan must hold Yanira Cardona accountable for her dangerous rhetoric,” the state party said.