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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.

These sisters are biking from Miami to Cape Cod to fund East Coast trail

Both women, who are in their 60s, want to raise money for two nonprofits.

A pair of bike-riding sisters in their 60s are pedaling 1,600 miles from Miami Beach to Massachusetts to raise money for a car-free path connecting East Coast states.

As air taxi plans progress, Florida envisions "highways in the sky"

Have you ever dreamed of flying over an I-95 traffic jam? It's no longer science fiction.

Travel

How bad is Miami traffic? Pretty soon, we may be flying around town like <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="George Jetson" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTq6Tofmo7E" data-vars-content-id="6af03366-b3ae-4fa0-bce8-942d16db0fe6" data-vars-headline="As air taxi plans progress, Florida envisions &quot;highways in the sky&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTq6Tofmo7E" target="_blank">George Jetson</a>.Why it matters: Multiple companies have announced plans to launch air taxi services in South Florida, but they don&#x27;t yet have full government approval. <ul><li>A new federal pilot program will speed up the integration of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft across 26 states, including Florida, with testing expected to begin this summer.</li></ul>

Report: Miami ranks 38th for safe streets

Miami&#x27;s roadways rank 38th among the country&#x27;s largest metros in safety, according to StreetLight Data&#x27;s new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;U.S. Safe Streets Index.&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://learn.streetlightdata.com/us-safe-streets-index-ebook" data-vars-content-id="813a7d69-f2a1-4623-8366-f69de227d3f5" data-vars-headline="Report: Miami ranks 38th for safe streets" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://learn.streetlightdata.com/us-safe-streets-index-ebook" target="_blank">&quot;U.S. Safe Streets Index.&quot;</a>The intrigue: Miami has a bit of a reputation for its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reckless drivers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/some-south-florida-cities-are-ranked-among-those-with-worst-drivers-in-the-nation/3206550/" data-vars-content-id="813a7d69-f2a1-4623-8366-f69de227d3f5" data-vars-headline="Report: Miami ranks 38th for safe streets" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/some-south-florida-cities-are-ranked-among-those-with-worst-drivers-in-the-nation/3206550/" target="_blank">reckless drivers</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="frequent crashes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2025/06/27/miami-bad-drivers-crash-ranking" data-vars-content-id="813a7d69-f2a1-4623-8366-f69de227d3f5" data-vars-headline="Report: Miami ranks 38th for safe streets" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2025/06/27/miami-bad-drivers-crash-ranking" target="_self">frequent crashes</a>, so we&#x27;re just as surprised as you to learn the 305 doesn&#x27;t rank dead last. <ul><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tampa Bay" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/03/02/report-tampa-bay-safe-streets-rankings" data-vars-content-id="813a7d69-f2a1-4623-8366-f69de227d3f5" data-vars-headline="Report: Miami ranks 38th for safe streets" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/tampa-bay/2026/03/02/report-tampa-bay-safe-streets-rankings" target="_self">Tampa Bay</a> ranked 50th. </li></ul>

Miami International Boat Show brings nautical novelties — and traffic

The 85th annual <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Miami International Boat Show" data-vars-click-url="https://www.miamiboatshow.com/en/home.html" data-vars-content-id="72c62cf0-6cc4-480f-8222-3c077e1ed1eb" data-vars-headline="Miami International Boat Show brings nautical novelties — and traffic" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.miamiboatshow.com/en/home.html" target="_blank">Miami International Boat Show</a> kicks off Wednesday and runs through Sunday across Miami Beach and its surrounding waterways.Why it matters: If you&#x27;re really into boating, then this is your Super Bowl. <ul><li>If you live in Miami Beach and your only mode of transportation is on four wheels, then this week may be difficult.</li></ul>

Miami drivers lost a lot of time stuck in traffic

At least we don't lose as much as New Yorkers.

Miami drivers wasted 72 hours on average stuck in rush-hour traffic last year, per the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="TomTom Traffic Index" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tomtom.com/traffic-index/" data-vars-content-id="88dfd764-9041-4c05-8fb0-1785aa2ce778" data-vars-headline="Miami drivers lost a lot of time stuck in traffic" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tomtom.com/traffic-index/" target="_blank">TomTom Traffic Index</a>.Why it matters: That&#x27;s three whole days staring at somebody else&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="license plate" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2025/10/03/miamis-most-popular-specialty-license-plates" data-vars-content-id="88dfd764-9041-4c05-8fb0-1785aa2ce778" data-vars-headline="Miami drivers lost a lot of time stuck in traffic" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2025/10/03/miamis-most-popular-specialty-license-plates" target="_self">license plate</a>, tail lights and — if you&#x27;re lucky — quippy bumper stickers.

Waymo launches limited driverless ride service in Miami

Waymo will initially operate in a 60-square-mile radius.

Business

Some Miamians will now be able to hail a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Waymo" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/01/22/test-driving-waymo-self-driving-rideshare-miami" data-vars-content-id="38fd6728-abaa-4495-b540-aca7fe338af8" data-vars-headline="Waymo launches limited driverless ride service in Miami" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2026/01/22/test-driving-waymo-self-driving-rideshare-miami" target="_self">Waymo</a>, as the company launched limited autonomous ride share service in the city on Thursday.Why it matters: Locals may have seen the driverless cars <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="testing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2024/12/05/self-driving-taxi-waymo-miami" data-vars-content-id="38fd6728-abaa-4495-b540-aca7fe338af8" data-vars-headline="Waymo launches limited driverless ride service in Miami" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2024/12/05/self-driving-taxi-waymo-miami" target="_self">testing</a> in the area over the past year, but now they will be driving around paying customers.

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.

Free Miami Beach water taxi officially begins service

The Miami-to-South Beach route was popular during Art Basel, per the city.

Miami Beach&#x27;s free new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="water taxi" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2025/10/29/free-miami-beach-water-taxi-art-basel" data-vars-content-id="231be790-ac32-4a54-90e9-948c34833ccb" data-vars-headline="Free Miami Beach water taxi officially begins service" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2025/10/29/free-miami-beach-water-taxi-art-basel" target="_self">water taxi</a> launches Tuesday with a single route between downtown Miami and Sunset Harbour.Why it matters: The city hopes the taxi will reduce traffic on the island. <ul><li>Commissioners previously voted against another project that sought to address that problem: Miami-Dade County&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Baylink" data-vars-click-url="https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/miami-beach/article285687946.html" data-vars-content-id="231be790-ac32-4a54-90e9-948c34833ccb" data-vars-headline="Free Miami Beach water taxi officially begins service" 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/article285687946.html" target="_blank">Baylink</a> plan to extend the Metromover.</li></ul>

Art Basel traffic tips: Peak congestion times and transit options

Give yourself plenty of time to get where you're going.

Pack your patience if you&#x27;re hitting the road this <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Miami Art Week" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2025/11/24/art-basel-miami-guide-fairs-tickets" data-vars-content-id="35161cfc-7ace-45e4-9d3c-b9253b67b9c5" data-vars-headline="Art Basel traffic tips: Peak congestion times and transit options" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2025/11/24/art-basel-miami-guide-fairs-tickets" target="_self">Miami Art Week</a>, with heavy traffic expected to begin Dec. 1. Why it matters: Whether you&#x27;re planning your visit to Art Basel or trying to avoid the art fairs altogether, we&#x27;ve compiled some travel tips for you.

Transit 🚗

These sisters are biking from Miami to Cape Cod to fund East Coast trail

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

As air taxi plans progress, Florida envisions "highways in the sky"

Report: Miami ranks 38th for safe streets

Miami International Boat Show brings nautical novelties — and traffic