ORLANDO, Fla. – Orange County commissioners officially approved a resolution that opposes the establishment of a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility in the county.
During a regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday, commissioners unanimously approved the resolution as a part of their consent agenda.
“The Orange County Board of County Commissioners hereby unequivocally and categorically opposes the conversion of any existing industrial warehouse(s) within Orange County for the establishment of a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) processing facility or detention facility,” the resolution reads.
The resolution, which was brought forth by Commissioner Nicole Wilson, does not have any enforcement mechanism, as the county could not prevent the establishment of such a facility.
[WATCH: ICE tours Orlando warehouse as possible detainment center]
“This resolution is important because it sends a message that elected officials are saying ‘No’ to new ICE detention centers,” said Ericka Gomez-Tejeda, the organizing director for the Hope CommUnity Center.
In January, News 6’s Mike Valente confirmed with ICE senior advisor David Venturella that the agency was eyeing a warehouse in Orlando as a possible immigration detention center.
The prospect of the Beachline Logistics Center on Transport Drive being converted into a detention facility prompted backlash from local elected officials and immigration advocates.
Despite the backlash, however, options to block such a facility have appeared to be limited.
[WATCH: Will ICE end up leasing that warehouse in Orlando? Good question...]
Not long after ICE’s visit to the warehouse, Orlando’s city attorney issued a legal opinion, in which she wrote that the Supremacy Clause in the United States Constitution prevents local municipalities from blocking the establishment of a federal detention center.
“However well motivated these suggestions are, the law is very clear: ICE, as an agency of our federal government, ICE is immune from any local regulation that interferes in any way with its federal mandate,” Mayanne Downs wrote.
The Orange County attorney’s office came to a similar conclusion, leading commissioners to opt for a resolution.
Rep. Maxwell Frost, D-Orlando, was one of dozens of people who spoke during the meeting’s public comment period. He expressed his approval of the resolution.
“Establishing a large immigration detention warehouse in the heart of one of the most visited destinations in the world sends the wrong message about who we are,” Frost said. “And it is, in fact, not who we are.”
Mayor Jerry Demings echoed those sentiments after the board voted for the measure.
“Orange County is committed to public safety, to the rule of law, and to treating every person with dignity,” Demings said. ”And this resolution makes clear that a proposal of this nature is incompatible with our community’s values and priorities.”
News 6 asked Gomez-Tejeda whether she worries the measure is purely symbolic.
“This can’t be the be-all, end-all,” Gomez-Tejeda said. “But we also want to recognize that this is a big step.”
Later Tuesday, Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Florida, who is also running for governor, issued a statement through his campaign, expressing his objection to the resolution:
“Jerry Demings and Orange County Democrats are once again choosing political theater over public safety,” said Ryan Smith, Chief Strategist for the Byron Donalds for Governor Campaign. “Florida Democrats are trying to obstruct President Trump and federal law enforcement from removing criminal illegal aliens from our communities. That is reckless and irresponsible. As Florida’s next governor, Byron Donalds will stand with law enforcement, uphold the rule of law, and ensure Florida never becomes a sanctuary for criminals.”