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Latino business owners tell commissioners ICE enforcement is hurting commerce; county attorney says sheriff is independent
Summary
Several Latino business owners told the St. Lucie County commission that local enforcement cooperating with ICE is damaging businesses and frightening residents. County Attorney McIntyre reminded the public the sheriff is an independently elected constitutional officer and the county has limited authority over his actions.
Several Latino business owners urged the St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners to act after describing routine traffic stops that they said escalate into immigration-status checks and drive customers away from Latino-owned businesses.
Noy Gomez, a Fort Pierce business owner and Spanish-language media operator, said stops for minor reasons — "secured license plate" or loose items — were followed by status checks, and he alleged the pattern targeted Latino storefronts. "It seems to be the color of our skin," Gomez said during public comment, and…
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