The Florida Immigrant Coalition (FLIC) wants commissioners in the City of Miami to end its partnership with Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) that involves local police officers to assist with arresting illegal immigrants here in the state.
Several cities have participated in what is known as the federal 287(g) program, which deputizes local police officers to carry out certain immigration enforcement functions.
FLIC is calling on residents to voice their opposition hoping to encourage the Commission to end the collaboration with ICE.
“Miami’s decision to enter into the agreement was not mandated by state law. Miami depends on strong relationships between residents and the local government,” the group said.
In a upcoming city meeting, FLIC says local faith leaders, civil rights organizations, and legal experts will testify that the program “undermines public safety” and erodes trust between law enforcement and the communities it serves.
FLIC claims that the issue of race is involved when local officers and ICE officials arrest, detain or question individuals.
“In one of the most diverse cities in the country, where the color of your skin, your accent, or even your features becomes a threat, and when immigrants fear that interactions with local police could lead to deportation or family separation, they are less likely to report crimes, cooperate with investigations, or seek emergency assistance, making neighborhoods less safe,” FLIC said.
The immigration issue helped propel President Trump to the White House in 2024. While Trump is underwater in several key issues with voters, one of the areas that Florida voters do give him a thumbs up is on border security, crime and dealing with the illegal immigration crisis in the US.
