A city of Jacksonville employee who advised illegal immigrants on how to deal with immigration policing “targeting” them didn’t break the law according to Mayor Donna Deegan.

But Yanira Cardona did break social media policy, Deegan told media on Thursday, and that’s why the city’s Hispanic Outreach Coordinator was put on administrative leave.

“We’ve got a mayor, who is the spokesperson for the city, and we have people who follow policy that if you are going to create any sort of social media content, if you are going to make any sort of commentary, especially in this office, that would be construed as coming from the mayor, that has to come through me or through our communications office. Period. And that is a concept that some people in this office have struggled with, and she has struggled with, unfortunately, repeatedly. And at some point, if you have a policy that is not followed, it doesn’t really continue to be a policy. And if you don’t make some sort of  consequence to that. then I think people aren’t going to take it seriously,” Deegan said.

Deegan said General Counsel Michael Fackler said Cardona’s comments, put on Instagram during business hours and apparently broadcast live from City Hall Wednesday, were legal. That runs counter to the interpretation by Attorney General James Uthmeier , who said “this is illegal and needs to be seriously addressed!”

Deegan said Cardona’s comments were legal and questioned whether Uthmeier even watched the video.

“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.”

Cardona arguably politicked during her message, saying “as much as we want to get up and fight, guys, as much as we want to, believe me, it’s not the right way right now.

“We have to listen, we have to comply, get the plan in place. Voting pretty soon on med elections. We’re gonna get to vote on mid-elections pretty soon,” she said Wednesday.

Deegan said Cardona was speaking out of “compassion” to address “an immigrant population that is hurting” because of immigration enforcement,” and expressed frustration that she had to respond with an “inordinate amount of energy” and provide “grist for the political mill” because Cardona’s comments were used as a “political whipping post.”

“I’m not the one that made the action public,” Deegan said. “It was made public by other people.”

Deegan did not commit to retaining or firing Cardona, saying she needed to “follow policies” but she would “hate to lose her.”

Five Florida local law enforcement agencies were awarded a combined $1.78 million as reimbursement for their work on immigration enforcement, Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia announced.

The funding went to Sheriff’s Offices in Polk, Hernando, Sarasota and Hardee counties, as well as the Port Richey Police Department.

At a news conference in Winter Haven, Ingoglia said the agencies have been enforcing immigration laws and arresting undocumented migrants for years. He said they are costly operations, and it’s appropriate they get reimbursed from federal funds.

“Local law enforcement agencies throughout Florida work tirelessly to protect Floridians. Because of the crisis caused by reckless border policies of the Joe Biden administration, our local law enforcement agencies have stepped up to assist with immigration enforcement efforts and help to deport dangerous criminal illegal aliens out of our country,” Ingoglia said.

“It is because of their efforts that Florida leads the nation in immigration enforcement. We must keep our foot on the gas to continue our efforts to protect Floridians from criminal illegal aliens.”

The immigration issue has risen to increased prominence in the past year as tensions mount in many states, most notably in Minnesota in the past week. But Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said his deputies have long been focusing on deporting migrants who are not in the country legally.

“As our deputies work to arrest and transport criminal illegal aliens, they must have the tools to do their job safely and effectively. I want to thank CFO Ingoglia for his dedication to prioritizing the needs of our deputies as they protect and serve the Polk County community,” Judd said.

Ingoglia presented ceremonial checks to each law enforcement office. The breakdown of funding for each Department includes:

— Polk County Sheriff’s Office: $1,006,985.10.

— Hernando County Sheriff’s Office: $321,112.30.

— Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office: $283,389.68.

— Hardee County Sheriff’s Office: $135,560.

— Port Richey Police Department: $32,850.

The federal funding is distributed through the Florida State Board of Immigration Enforcement, which applies for the reimbursements. Ingoglia is a member of that Board, along with Gov. Ron DeSantis, Attorney General James Uthmeier and Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson.

The Florida Medical Association (FMA) Political Action Committee is backing Republican Rep. Josie Tomkow in the special election for Senate District 14, adding another high-profile endorsement to her growing list of supporters.

FMA PAC President Andrew Borom said the organization supports Tomkow’s leadership on health policy and her current work as Chair of the House Health and Human Services Committee. Borom said Tomkow understands the health care challenges facing Floridians and emphasized the group’s interest in continuing to work with her should she advance to the Senate.

“As Chair of the House Health and Human Services Committee, Rep. Tomkow understands the significant health care issues impacting Floridians and we look forward to our continued collaboration in the Florida Senate,” Borom said.

Tomkow said she was “humbled” by the endorsement, and highlighted the role medical professionals play in improving access to care and driving innovation across Florida’s health care system.

“Florida’s medical community is helping lead our nation into a healthier future that emphasizes wellness,” Tomkow said. “Through their advocacy, Florida’s doctors have helped improve access to care and leveraged innovation and technological advances to deliver better health outcomes in Florida. I’m so humbled to have the endorsement of Florida’s doctors who are on the frontlines of making our state — and country — healthier for generations to come.” 

The endorsement further strengthens Tomkow’s standing in the race for the open Hillsborough County-based seat. The SD 14 seat became vacant after former Sen. Jay Collins was appointed Lieutenant Governor by Gov. Ron DeSantis, and the Special General Election to find his successor is scheduled for March 24.

Tomkow formally entered the race last fall and quickly consolidated support from Republican leadership and elected officials. She previously received endorsements from Senate President Ben Albritton and Sens. Jim Boyd and Jay Trumbull, as well as U.S. Rep. Laurel Lee, several members of the Florida House, and multiple county Sheriffs across the Tampa Bay region.

The FMA PAC, founded in 1974, supports candidates it says will advance policies that make Florida the best state to practice medicine. The committee raises voluntary contributions from health care professionals and routinely weighs in on competitive legislative races across the state.

A seventh-generation Floridian and third-generation cattle rancher, Tomkow currently represents Polk County in the House. She is term-limited from her House seat and has been viewed as a logical successor to Collins in the upper chamber, particularly given her leadership role on health and human services and her close ties to House leadership.