Miami approves ICE agreement, defying community opposition
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City of Miami commissioners on Tuesday approved a measure that will allow its police department to enforce federal immigration laws — despite hundreds of residents speaking in opposition to the agreement.
- The commission voted 3-2, with Commissioners Joe Carollo, Miguel Gabela and Ralph Rosado voted in favor of the measure and Chair Christine King and Damian Pardo voting no.
Why it matters: The measure's approval, which came after more than five hours of public comment where residents urged the commission to vote down the deal, comes amid heightened tensions in Miami regarding President Trump's immigration crackdown.
- But the vote also underscores the divide among commissioners on how to follow federal and state policies related to immigration.
Between the lines: While Gov. Ron DeSantis has made it clear he wants all municipalities with 25 or more officers to partner with the federal program, there is no state of federal law requiring the city to enter into the agreement.
- DeSantis has threatened to suspend law enforcement officials who don't cooperate.
Yes, but: Miami Police Department Chief Manuel Morales told commissioners the situation is a "Catch 22," because state statute "requires us to do certain things that we are unable to do if we don't proceed" with the agreement.
- "There's definitely a possibility that if we do not, there would certainly be some sort of repercussions," he said, whether it be towards elected officials or by cutting federal grants.
The city attorney George Wysong agreed with Morales, saying while it would be "difficult to understand how this would all play out [...] there could be real consequences for voting no."
How it works: The city's police department, according to Morales, will select personnel to be trained and vetted by ICE and will "only be allowed to take action while under direct supervision" of the department.
- While the county sheriff has suggested dozens would be needed to join the agency, Morales told commissioners he believes just three city officers would suffice.
- "It would not be the entirety of the Miami Police Department," he said.
What they're saying: "I have a tremendous amount of faith in our police department and am more comfortable with [the deal], understanding that this is much more limited in scope than we thought," said Rosado.
The other side: Pardo, too, said he had faith in the department, but argued the deal "creates a climate that doesn't work for our city," whether economically or by signaling an unwelcoming message to the world.
- "Miami is a city made up of immigrants. This is not our brand."
- Earlier in the meeting, Pardo suggested the commission defer the item until pending legal cases are settled. (The city of South Miami sued the state, claiming it's not obligated to enter into the same agreement, WLRN reported.)
Meanwhile, King said she was concerned for her constituents and argued immigration issues are not the responsibility of the city's police department.
- The city shouldn't enter into the agreement "unless we are mandated to take such an action," she said.
The big picture: Just about every public speaker on Tuesday opposed the measure, arguing it would threaten a city — and culture — that was built by immigrants and sustained by the Hispanic and Latino communities.
- Some called out the economic impacts, ranging from a likely dip in tourism from those who will view Miami as a "much less friendly place" to the resources such a deal will require amid an ongoing affordability crisis in the city.
- Others relayed personal stories from their neighbors, colleagues or fellow parishioners who are already afraid to move around the county.
Many called out some of the commissioners for what they believed to be hypocrisy, pointing out their immigration stories and Hispanic and Latino backgrounds.
- One speaker directed her comments directly to the Cuban-American commissioners: "This is what your family fled from. We escaped the surveillance state, don't help create one here."