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Miami ICE leads U.S. in arrests, driven by local cops' cooperation

Florida tops the nation in ICE agreements with local police.

News

Immigration arrests in Florida have skyrocketed under President Trump, an increase local advocates attribute to how the state&#x27;s police departments have partnered with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Immigration and Customs Enforcement" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/10/ice-border-patrol-lyons-scott-trump-house-panel" data-vars-content-id="8a5c2819-84ba-4029-8fe0-332c2a7b348c" data-vars-headline="Miami ICE leads U.S. in arrests, driven by local cops&#x27; cooperation" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/10/ice-border-patrol-lyons-scott-trump-house-panel" target="_self">Immigration and Customs Enforcement</a>.Why it matters: While South Florida hasn&#x27;t seen the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="high-profile raids" data-vars-click-url="https://newrepublic.com/post/208648/ice-military-base-arrest-newlywed-soldier-wife" data-vars-content-id="8a5c2819-84ba-4029-8fe0-332c2a7b348c" data-vars-headline="Miami ICE leads U.S. in arrests, driven by local cops&#x27; cooperation" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://newrepublic.com/post/208648/ice-military-base-arrest-newlywed-soldier-wife" target="_blank">high-profile raids</a> or <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="large protests" data-vars-click-url="https://www.npr.org/sections/the-picture-show/2026/01/30/g-s1-108087/photos-thousands-once-again-protest-ice-in-minneapolis-and-across-the-u-s" data-vars-content-id="8a5c2819-84ba-4029-8fe0-332c2a7b348c" data-vars-headline="Miami ICE leads U.S. in arrests, driven by local cops&#x27; cooperation" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.npr.org/sections/the-picture-show/2026/01/30/g-s1-108087/photos-thousands-once-again-protest-ice-in-minneapolis-and-across-the-u-s" target="_blank">large protests</a> that drew widespread attention to other communities, data shows the region is a national hot spot for immigration enforcement.

Tons of Inter Miami fans ditch cars for Metrorail, Tri-Rail in rare transit win

Fans were lured by $10 concessions vouchers and the prospect of saving time and money.

Transit

<figure><img alt="Inter Miami fans Rick and Nancy Blanchett took the Tri-Rail to Saturday&#x27;s match. Photo: Martin Vassolo/Axios" height="3024" id="c1173d45-0324-497d-bdc7-a4bdc85b9a77" src="https://images.axios.com/OGSNn3-S8ynF-bqyr_PPZIhlFN4=/2026/04/05/1775403668907.jpeg" width="4032" srcset="https://images.axios.com/NQl_E8mT7kU8YO0kniGQVuMilE8=/0x0:4032x3024/1920x1440/2026/04/05/1775403668907.jpeg?w=1920 1920w, https://images.axios.com/NHcS7qSiNnIUuEPXxdkYeVPjw4w=/0x0:4032x3024/1600x1200/2026/04/05/1775403668907.jpeg?w=1600 1600w, https://images.axios.com/X2SyKXicEVqBUL0lJmqjY8US9fA=/0x0:4032x3024/1366x1024/2026/04/05/1775403668907.jpeg?w=1366 1366w, https://images.axios.com/sY2_n0EqLR8fl-e94XVWUkcBg_8=/0x0:4032x3024/1024x768/2026/04/05/1775403668907.jpeg?w=1024 1024w, https://images.axios.com/J3Fexd7DFFWKFhCqeBFE8Z8557Q=/0x0:4032x3024/768x576/2026/04/05/1775403668907.jpeg?w=768 768w, https://images.axios.com/iOAaYzDQHZWkxhZ4NLRj65Pm4gM=/0x0:4032x3024/640x480/2026/04/05/1775403668907.jpeg?w=640 640w, https://images.axios.com/m6BP5o0DoGsZEXmFHo57kQ5jUEA=/0x0:4032x3024/320x240/2026/04/05/1775403668907.jpeg?w=320 320w"/><figcaption>Inter Miami fans Rick and Nancy Blanchett took the Tri-Rail to Saturday&#x27;s match. Photo: Martin Vassolo/Axios</figcaption></figure>After <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Inter Miami&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/04/02/what-inter-miami-fans-should-know-ahead-of-stadium-opener" data-vars-content-id="b19f5ad6-00aa-463a-843d-eea77e34d70c" data-vars-headline="Tons of Inter Miami fans ditch cars for Metrorail, Tri-Rail in rare transit win" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/04/02/what-inter-miami-fans-should-know-ahead-of-stadium-opener" target="_self">Inter Miami&#x27;s</a> first match at Nu Stadium on Saturday, hundreds of fans walked past the gridlocked parking lot and made a beeline for a nearby mass-transit hub. Why it matters: That&#x27;s just what Inter wanted.<ul><li>If it keeps up, it could ease traffic around the stadium and boost ridership numbers for the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cash-strapped Tri-Rail" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wlrn.org/news-in-brief/2026-01-12/tri-rail-rideership" data-vars-content-id="b19f5ad6-00aa-463a-843d-eea77e34d70c" data-vars-headline="Tons of Inter Miami fans ditch cars for Metrorail, Tri-Rail in rare transit win" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wlrn.org/news-in-brief/2026-01-12/tri-rail-rideership" target="_blank">cash-strapped Tri-Rail</a> train system.</li></ul>The big picture: Seeing big crowds line up to take Metrorail, Tri-Rail and other public transit was an unusual sight in a car-centric city. <ul><li>But fans were lured by $10 concessions vouchers from the club and the prospect of avoiding the stress of driving and the price of parking.</li></ul><figure><img alt="Inter Miami fans walk toward a nearby transit hub near the stadium after Saturday&#x27;s match. Photo: Martin Vassolo/Axios" height="3024" id="55e9db83-0446-4b3b-8731-bfcbdcaa8c47" src="https://images.axios.com/U67hLHuVIQpRm8OesarjEhq0seA=/2026/04/05/1775403763476.jpeg" width="4032" srcset="https://images.axios.com/d8bTDeEZLvSgG0L6KVIZ88mbaJg=/0x0:4032x3024/1920x1440/2026/04/05/1775403763476.jpeg?w=1920 1920w, https://images.axios.com/-vjVyQ8SfuNvyXLhX-fvmnKoGR8=/0x0:4032x3024/1600x1200/2026/04/05/1775403763476.jpeg?w=1600 1600w, https://images.axios.com/jyIVXvXSrLDRJEKZhx4q9IOGZv4=/0x0:4032x3024/1366x1024/2026/04/05/1775403763476.jpeg?w=1366 1366w, https://images.axios.com/RUl7p7QMNnDW2PVSs_fsUgYokdk=/0x0:4032x3024/1024x768/2026/04/05/1775403763476.jpeg?w=1024 1024w, https://images.axios.com/85OZwcntLKZJcppNMykPjYqevFY=/0x0:4032x3024/768x576/2026/04/05/1775403763476.jpeg?w=768 768w, https://images.axios.com/lc5Lle-3dxGCKJX_KKVwlrnfVdA=/0x0:4032x3024/640x480/2026/04/05/1775403763476.jpeg?w=640 640w, https://images.axios.com/sK_igv0ETQieMy00Wspt_j_Mcxs=/0x0:4032x3024/320x240/2026/04/05/1775403763476.jpeg?w=320 320w"/><figcaption>Hundreds of Inter Miami fans walk toward a transit hub near the stadium after Saturday&#x27;s match. Photo: Martin Vassolo/Axios</figcaption></figure>My experience: I rode the Tri-Rail from Hollywood to the Miami Airport station, also known as the Miami Intermodal Center, and my train car was full of pink-clad fans.<ul><li>It was about a 40-minute ride and then a 10-15-minute walk to the stadium — longer on the way back with more fans.</li><li>Tri-Rail is partnering with Inter this season to offer late rides for weekend home games, leaving about 45 minutes after the final whistle. (Saturday&#x27;s train departed at about 11pm, closer to an hour after the game ended.)</li><li>A weekend day pass is $5, compared to at least $45 to park at the stadium.</li></ul>What they&#x27;re saying: Many of the Tri-Rail riders I spoke to don&#x27;t typically take public transit, but saw that Inter Miami was encouraging it and decided to try it.<ul><li>&quot;It&#x27;s gonna beat driving any time,&quot; said Alfredo Barreiro, a Hollywood Beach resident.</li><li>Maria Orozco, of Davie, said the team&#x27;s Fort Lauderdale stadium was an easier drive for her but taking the train should be less stressful.</li><li>&quot;Using the train is better because traffic is rough and finding parking in that area is even worse.&quot;</li></ul>Rick and Nancy Blanchett drove two hours from Fort Myers to Hollywood, where they hopped on the southbound Tri-Rail.<ul><li>&quot;I didn&#x27;t know how many people were going to use it,&quot; Rick Blanchett, a Miami native, said. &quot;It was a long enough ride coming over from Fort Myers, so this is perfect.&quot;</li><li>The South Florida sports fans say they regularly make the trip from Fort Myers to watch the Heat, Marlins and Dolphins, but being able to leave their car behind was a first.</li><li>&quot;I&#x27;m hoping this really takes off,&quot; Blanchett said.</li></ul>

As immigration slows, Miami-Dade's population growth declines

The data offers how tighter immigration enforcement is affecting America's demographic makeup.

Politics

Miami-Dade County&#x27;s population shrank last year amid a massive drop in immigration, following a nationwide trend, new U.S. Census data shows.Why it matters: The data offers the best look yet at how tighter immigration enforcement is affecting America&#x27;s demographic makeup.

Inter Miami celebrates new stadium with house-warming party

Like any house-warming party, the hosts swept some things under the rug.

Sports

Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami teammates ran onto the field as &quot;Hustlin&quot; by Miami rap star Rick Ross blared through stadium speakers.<ul><li>Adopted 305-er Marc Anthony sang the national anthem, and pink smoke filled Nu Stadium as the first of several fireworks lit up the sky over Inter&#x27;s new Miami home.</li></ul>Why it matters: The club threw a very Miami housewarming party on Saturday night to christen its new stadium.

Spring break arrests down in 2026, Miami Beach official says

For the third year in a row, Miami Beach officials say they've kept a lid on spring break mayhem.

Public Safety

For the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="third year in a row," data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2025/03/27/spring-break-crowds-south-beach" data-vars-content-id="5eba16fb-2367-45ec-bafc-f6a79cc4a584" data-vars-headline="Spring break arrests down in 2026, Miami Beach official says" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2025/03/27/spring-break-crowds-south-beach" target="_self">third year in a row,</a> Miami Beach officials say they&#x27;ve kept a lid on spring break mayhem.Why it matters: South Beach&#x27;s annual college party month has been relatively calm in recent years after violence, disorderly crowds and clashes with police marred past spring break seasons.

State investigates after research monkey ends up at Miami waste facility

An animal welfare group says quarantine rules were violated after a research monkey went missing in Miami.

Environment

Florida wildlife officials are investigating after a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="research monkey" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/12/13/cambodia-monkey-export-crackdown-us-pharma" data-vars-content-id="93940f2c-d9fa-4a2d-b0b8-731d3cbbafce" data-vars-headline="State investigates after research monkey ends up at Miami waste facility" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/12/13/cambodia-monkey-export-crackdown-us-pharma" target="_self">research monkey</a> imported from an African island wound up in a medical waste treatment facility in Miami, leading to it being euthanized.Why it matters: Animal welfare group <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="PETA" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/02/03/peta-lawsuit-massachusetts-wiretapping-law-animal-abuse-recording-consent" data-vars-content-id="93940f2c-d9fa-4a2d-b0b8-731d3cbbafce" data-vars-headline="State investigates after research monkey ends up at Miami waste facility" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/02/03/peta-lawsuit-massachusetts-wiretapping-law-animal-abuse-recording-consent" target="_self">PETA</a> says the blunder endangered the monkey and threatened public health because it violated federal animal <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="quarantine requirements" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cdc.gov/importation/bringing-an-animal-into-the-us/nonhuman-primate.html" data-vars-content-id="93940f2c-d9fa-4a2d-b0b8-731d3cbbafce" data-vars-headline="State investigates after research monkey ends up at Miami waste facility" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cdc.gov/importation/bringing-an-animal-into-the-us/nonhuman-primate.html" target="_blank">quarantine requirements</a>.

Miami Beach broke up with spring break. Now it's rolling back some restrictions

The city has actively dissuaded spring breakers from coming to South Beach.

Business

After &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="breaking up" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nz3T20EXDdo" data-vars-content-id="971625a5-23ce-4e7b-94d9-f98e206c92ee" data-vars-headline="Miami Beach broke up with spring break. Now it&#x27;s rolling back some restrictions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nz3T20EXDdo" target="_blank">breaking up</a>&quot; with spring break in recent years, Miami Beach seems ready to turn the page.Why it matters: City officials are planning to lift some crowd-control measures used to crack down on rowdy spring breakers following <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="shootings" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2023/03/20/miami-beach-curfew-spring-break-shootings" data-vars-content-id="971625a5-23ce-4e7b-94d9-f98e206c92ee" data-vars-headline="Miami Beach broke up with spring break. Now it&#x27;s rolling back some restrictions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2023/03/20/miami-beach-curfew-spring-break-shootings" target="_self">shootings</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="crowd stampedes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/miami-beach/article259537909.html" data-vars-content-id="971625a5-23ce-4e7b-94d9-f98e206c92ee" data-vars-headline="Miami Beach broke up with spring break. Now it&#x27;s rolling back some restrictions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/miami-beach/article259537909.html" target="_blank">crowd stampedes</a> in South Beach.

Miami Beach mayor flagged Facebook post to chief before police visit, emails show

The Miami Beach mayor previously called the incident a "police matter."

One day before police confronted a Miami Beach resident about her Facebook comment <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="criticizing Mayor Steven Meiner" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/01/13/miami-beach-israel-palestine-police-facebook-post" data-vars-content-id="dca70fd4-ceed-45de-abcf-abb674a0e760" data-vars-headline="Miami Beach mayor flagged Facebook post to chief before police visit, emails show" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/01/13/miami-beach-israel-palestine-police-facebook-post" target="_self">criticizing Mayor Steven Meiner</a>, the mayor reported the social media post to the city&#x27;s police chief, newly released emails show.Why it matters: The Jan. 12 incident raised <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="First Amendment concerns" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/01/26/free-speech-florida-miami-beach-meiner" data-vars-content-id="dca70fd4-ceed-45de-abcf-abb674a0e760" data-vars-headline="Miami Beach mayor flagged Facebook post to chief before police visit, emails show" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/01/26/free-speech-florida-miami-beach-meiner" target="_self">First Amendment concerns</a> — and questions about Meiner&#x27;s role in prompting the police response.<ul><li>The resident, former political candidate Raquel Pacheco, said she felt targeted by Meiner for her prior criticisms of his leadership.</li></ul>

Free speech advocates say Florida officials are policing criticism

Police in Miami Beach and Largo have questioned residents over critical political commentary.

When police questioned Miami Beach activist Raquel Pacheco earlier this month over a Facebook comment criticizing the mayor, she said it felt like free speech had <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="died on her doorstep" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/miami-beach-police-facebook-comment-mayor-investigation/" data-vars-content-id="cb1f1191-645c-4b24-8419-f347fa2181cf" data-vars-headline="Free speech advocates say Florida officials are policing criticism" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/miami-beach-police-facebook-comment-mayor-investigation/" target="_blank">died on her doorstep</a>.Why it matters: Pacheco&#x27;s case is the latest in Florida in which governments have responded to political speech with intimidation or retaliation, the ACLU of Florida tells Axios

I tested Waymo's self-driving car ahead of Miami rideshare launch

Waymo is launching to paying customers in 2026.

<figure><img alt="View from inside a black Jaguar car showing the steering wheel and dashboard screen displaying navigation instructions to wait for the intersection to clear on a tree-lined street." height="450" id="ebfc14d6-8f14-4e9c-9612-dcf5f8e5195c" src="https://images.axios.com/N9wqcxjQmRU5jxExI8Kfb9inGjc=/2026/01/21/1769027978428.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>Jesus, take the wheel. Video: Martin Vassolo/Axios</figcaption></figure>As Miami awaits the launch of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Waymo&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2025/11/18/waymo-self-driving-taxis-miami" data-vars-content-id="7b0ba9c3-706b-45e2-bbf9-09ea49dc1587" data-vars-headline="I tested Waymo&#x27;s self-driving car ahead of Miami rideshare launch" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2025/11/18/waymo-self-driving-taxis-miami" target="_self">Waymo&#x27;s</a> autonomous rideshare service, I tested one of the company&#x27;s self-driving cars Wednesday in Little Havana.Why it matters: Waymo, which currently operates in five U.S. cities, is expanding into five more cities in 2026, including Miami and Orlando.

Self-driving cop car could hit Miami streets soon

The autonomous vehicle will initially be limited to appearances at community events.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Miami-Dade Sheriff&#x27;s Office" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2024/10/29/miami-dade-sheriff-election" data-vars-content-id="49461676-2bfe-49f6-b60f-914e6f976c5c" data-vars-headline="Self-driving cop car could hit Miami streets soon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2024/10/29/miami-dade-sheriff-election" target="_self">Miami-Dade Sheriff&#x27;s Office</a> is testing out a new autonomous police vehicle that is being hailed as the first self-driving patrol vehicle in the U.S.The big picture: The autonomous vehicle, donated to MDSO by the law enforcement nonprofit Policing Lab, will initially be limited to appearances at community events before the agency considers it for broader use, according to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="press release" data-vars-click-url="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251001711122/en/Miami-Dade-Sheriffs-Office-and-Policing-Lab-Launch-Nations-First-Autonomous-Patrol-Vehicle-Pilot" data-vars-content-id="49461676-2bfe-49f6-b60f-914e6f976c5c" data-vars-headline="Self-driving cop car could hit Miami streets soon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251001711122/en/Miami-Dade-Sheriffs-Office-and-Policing-Lab-Launch-Nations-First-Autonomous-Patrol-Vehicle-Pilot" target="_blank">press release</a>.

Miami jail system under fire again after kidnapper accidentally freed

The Miami jail system is facing fallout after an inmate was mistakenly freed.

A convicted kidnapper mistakenly released from a Miami jail due to a &quot;procedural error&quot; was caught this week in Georgia after a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="three-day manhunt" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/MiamiDade_SO/status/1973150188933095561" data-vars-content-id="04e48c63-f3f3-435b-a029-3ab7d1e0de2b" data-vars-headline="Miami jail system under fire again after kidnapper accidentally freed" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/MiamiDade_SO/status/1973150188933095561" target="_blank">three-day manhunt</a>.Why it matters: The accidental release of James Edward Daniels — who had been serving a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="life sentence" data-vars-click-url="https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/pr/truck-yard-murderers-sentenced-life-prison" data-vars-content-id="04e48c63-f3f3-435b-a029-3ab7d1e0de2b" data-vars-headline="Miami jail system under fire again after kidnapper accidentally freed" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/pr/truck-yard-murderers-sentenced-life-prison" target="_blank">life sentence</a> for a 2020 kidnapping that killed two men — is another black eye for Miami-Dade County jails.

Miami-Dade sees sharp drop in homicides

Major crimes are down across Miami-Dade, as national violent crime trends improve.

The Miami-Dade Sheriff&#x27;s Office investigated 39% fewer homicides during the first three months of 2025 compared to the same period last year, according to preliminary <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="data" data-vars-click-url="https://majorcitieschiefs.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/MCCA-Violent-Crime-Report-2025-and-2024-First-Quarter.pdf" data-vars-content-id="9cb4bd4e-78d5-48a1-a0a7-01082cd5c22c" data-vars-headline="Miami-Dade sees sharp drop in homicides" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://majorcitieschiefs.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/MCCA-Violent-Crime-Report-2025-and-2024-First-Quarter.pdf" target="_blank">data</a>.Why it matters: Stats compiled by the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA)" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/19/homicides-crime-decline-2024" data-vars-content-id="9cb4bd4e-78d5-48a1-a0a7-01082cd5c22c" data-vars-headline="Miami-Dade sees sharp drop in homicides" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/19/homicides-crime-decline-2024" target="_self">Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA)</a> indicate that the nationwide COVID-era crime wave has almost faded away — even as some officials, including President Trump, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="falsely claim" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/10/08/border-cities-lower-homicide-rates-nation#:~:text=false%20claims%20that%20migrants" data-vars-content-id="9cb4bd4e-78d5-48a1-a0a7-01082cd5c22c" data-vars-headline="Miami-Dade sees sharp drop in homicides" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/10/08/border-cities-lower-homicide-rates-nation#:~:text=false%20claims%20that%20migrants" target="_self">falsely claim</a> that immigrants are driving increased crime rates.

ADL says Florida is one of nine states "leading" in fight against antisemitism

The state strengthened school protections and passed anti-boycott laws in 2018 and 2019.

Religion

Florida is one of nine states that meet the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Anti-Defamation League&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/14/gaza-adl-teachers-union-nea-vote-jewish-groups" data-vars-content-id="eabbac41-f8fd-4a5a-8a1b-eaed1a9fbda1" data-vars-headline="ADL says Florida is one of nine states &quot;leading&quot; in fight against antisemitism" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/14/gaza-adl-teachers-union-nea-vote-jewish-groups" target="_self">Anti-Defamation League&#x27;s</a> standards for combating antisemitism, according to a new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.adl.org/resources/press-release/adl-finds-significant-gaps-state-level-efforts-combat-antisemitism" data-vars-content-id="eabbac41-f8fd-4a5a-8a1b-eaed1a9fbda1" data-vars-headline="ADL says Florida is one of nine states &quot;leading&quot; in fight against antisemitism" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.adl.org/resources/press-release/adl-finds-significant-gaps-state-level-efforts-combat-antisemitism" target="_blank">report</a> from the group.Zoom in: Florida&#x27;s policy strengths, per the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="analysis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.adl.org/jpi/state/fl" data-vars-content-id="eabbac41-f8fd-4a5a-8a1b-eaed1a9fbda1" data-vars-headline="ADL says Florida is one of nine states &quot;leading&quot; in fight against antisemitism" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.adl.org/jpi/state/fl" target="_blank">analysis</a>, included 2018 and 2019 laws prohibiting companies that <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="boycott Israel" data-vars-click-url="https://www.heritagefl.com/story/2018/03/30/news/gov-scott-signs-anti-bds-bill-at-orlando-torah-academy/9541.html" data-vars-content-id="eabbac41-f8fd-4a5a-8a1b-eaed1a9fbda1" data-vars-headline="ADL says Florida is one of nine states &quot;leading&quot; in fight against antisemitism" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.heritagefl.com/story/2018/03/30/news/gov-scott-signs-anti-bds-bill-at-orlando-torah-academy/9541.html" target="_blank">boycott Israel</a> from conducting business with state or local governments and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="strengthening religious discrimination" data-vars-click-url="https://www.flgov.com/eog/news/press/2019/governor-ron-desantis-signs-anti-semitism-protections-bill-cscshb-741" data-vars-content-id="eabbac41-f8fd-4a5a-8a1b-eaed1a9fbda1" data-vars-headline="ADL says Florida is one of nine states &quot;leading&quot; in fight against antisemitism" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.flgov.com/eog/news/press/2019/governor-ron-desantis-signs-anti-semitism-protections-bill-cscshb-741" target="_blank">strengthening religious discrimination</a> protections in public schools.