JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville city officials recently submitted documents to the Florida attorney general’s office following a “criminal subpoena” related to immigration enforcement.
The subpoena, issued by Attorney General James Uthmeier, alleges that a city employee may have impeded immigration enforcement efforts.
Mayor Donna Deegan placed Yanira “Yaya” Cardona, the city’s Hispanic Outreach Coordinator, on brief administrative leave after she posted a video discussing reports of increased Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) presence in the Jacksonville area.
News4JAX reviewed the documents submitted by the city in response to the subpoena. The request specifically sought work-related emails, texts, and documents from Cardona containing words such as “Nazi,” “Gestapo,” “stormtrooper,” or “terrorize.”
We found no mention of those words in the documents.
More than a month ago, Cardona was placed on administrative leave after posting a video warning about ICE activity, including “speed traps” and sightings on Emerson Street.
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On Feb. 9, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the criminal subpoena to the Deegan administration, stating that any evidence of impeding immigration enforcement would be met with accountability.
The city’s submitted documents included emails related to immigration concerns. One email involved a message sent to the Mayor’s Facebook page asking for advice following immigration enforcement events in Minnesota, questioning whether similar actions might occur in Jacksonville.
Cardona responded to the inquiry, suggesting a discussion and planning session, advising compliance with officers and coordination with immigration lawyers.
Phil Perry, the city’s Chief Communications Officer, also provided a prepared response for public inquiries. He stated:
“We don’t have any information to suggest that the major operations seen in other cities around the country are coming to Jacksonville. At the same time, we understand why Jacksonville’s large immigrant community is concerned. It’s important to know your rights, follow the law, and have a plan in place with an immigration lawyer if you are worried that you could be targeted. It’s always Mayor Deegan’s expectation that our people will be treated with dignity and respect and that their rights will be preserved.”
Cardona returned to work on January 23 after the administrative review concluded.
The deadline for the subpoena response was February 20 at 2 p.m. No charges have been filed at this time.