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Credit: DisneyOrlando is once again at the center of a heated national debate, one that is drawing concern from residents, lawmakers, and immigrant advocates across Central Florida. As speculation grows about a possible U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility being established within city limits, local leaders are facing mounting pressure to intervene.
For a city that brands itself as welcoming, diverse, and deeply tied to global tourism through attractions like Walt Disney World, the idea of a federal detention center nearby has struck a nerve.
Related: ICE Arrives Near Disneyland, Runners Warned of Activity During Marathon Weekend
The issue comes at a moment when ICE activity has visibly increased across Central Florida, coinciding with the Trump administration’s renewed push for mass deportations. Rumors of a new detention site in the Orlando area have circulated for weeks, prompting protests, public meetings, and demands for action.
But on Monday, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer delivered a blunt message to concerned residents. Under the law, the city cannot stop it.
Mayor Dyer Says City Has No Legal Authority
In a news release issued Monday, Mayor Buddy Dyer said Orlando has not been formally notified by the federal government about any confirmed plans to open an ICE detention facility. Still, he acknowledged the widespread concern from residents and said the city sought legal guidance to determine whether it had any power to intervene, per WESH.
“Although we have not been informed by the federal government about any potential plans, we have sought legal advice to understand if the city has any options to regulate or prevent a facility like this,” Dyer said.
According to the mayor, the answer from the city attorney’s office was clear. The Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution prevents local governments from regulating or blocking federal actions, including immigration enforcement.
“The city is unable to take action to limit or regulate any activity by the federal government,” Dyer said.
Supremacy Clause Leaves City Powerless
That legal conclusion was outlined in a formal opinion issued by Orlando City Attorney Mayanne Downs, which Dyer’s office released publicly. The letter came after reports that ICE representatives toured a large warehouse facility in East Orange County earlier this month as a possible detention center location.
“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,” Downs wrote.
She cited the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution, which establishes that federal law overrides state and local regulations, along with previous court rulings in Florida that reinforced that principle.
“In sum, we can take no action to limit or regulate any activity by the federal government in its action to enforce federal immigration law, and that is clear and not debatable under the law of the United States and Florida,” Downs added.
Political and Community Pushback Grows
While the city may be legally constrained, opposition to the proposed facility continues to grow among local and county leaders. Orange County Commissioner Nicole Wilson has questioned whether the warehouse ICE toured is suitable for detaining people and whether zoning laws could at least delay its use, per Click Orlando.
“This wasn’t built for human beings to be located in,” Wilson said earlier this month. “I think we can all agree about the humanitarian issues with loading docks being built with cots.”
Wilson also raised logistical concerns, pointing to waste management issues and the impact on neighboring businesses in the corporate park.
“This is a logistical issue as much as it is a humanitarian issue,” she said.
Wilson is proposing a temporary county-level moratorium, though it remains unclear whether such an effort would withstand federal preemption.
Increased ICE Activity Sparks Protests
The debate comes amid a noticeable increase in ICE activity throughout Central Florida. Lawmakers and advocacy groups say the heightened presence has fueled fear in immigrant communities, including families who have lived and worked in the region for years.
Tensions boiled over last week when a woman was arrested outside an ICE facility in Orlando after deputies said she blocked a law enforcement vehicle with her body and struck it during a protest. The incident underscored the emotional intensity surrounding immigration enforcement in the area.
Mayor Dyer acknowledged those fears directly in his statement, emphasizing Orlando’s values even as he acknowledged the city’s legal limits.
“We remain committed to being a city that treats every person with dignity and respect,” Dyer said. “Immigrants are a valued part of our community and have helped to shape a stronger, more vibrant Orlando.”
Mayor Urges Residents to Contact Congress
With the city unable to intervene directly, Dyer urged residents to focus their efforts on federal lawmakers, who have authority over ICE funding and oversight.
“We encourage residents who are concerned about ICE actions to contact their representatives in Congress as Congress holds the power to oversee, fund and reform these activities,” he said.
For a city whose economy relies heavily on tourism and international visitors, including millions who travel to Walt Disney World each year, the outcome of this debate could have ripple effects far beyond City Hall.
If you live in Central Florida, work in tourism, or plan to visit Orlando and the theme parks, now is the time to stay informed. Reach out to your elected representatives, attend local meetings, and make your voice heard. Decisions made far from the parks can still shape the future of the city that surrounds them.