Local police working with ICE agents on their deportation roundups is a thorny issue nationwide.
In Florida, the state government pressured local governments to sign what’s called a 287(g) agreement, which commits police officers to assist ICE in their communities.
On Monday, immigration activists demanded the City of Miami tear up its 287(g) agreement, saying ICE operations have become “witch hunts.”
Right now, there are only two Miami Police officers supporting ICE, but that’s too many, according to those who spoke at a news conference at Miami City Hall.
“If not now, then when? If not now, when families are being ripped apart, then when? Now, please, thank you, end this agreement!” said an impassioned Laura Munoz of a group called Florida Student Power.
The end of TPS protection for Haitians and Venezuelans was a topic at the gathering, with the activists saying those communities are suffering incredible amounts of stress.
“People are living in fear, they’re in this legal limbo, and they’re not really sure what to do; we don’t need to add on to that,” said Candice Mondesir of the Haitian American Chamber of Commerce.
Miami city commissioners discussed the issue at their last meeting. Commissioner Rolando Escalona got emotional talking about his wife, who is a legal resident but not a citizen, fearing she could be deported.
“I believe everybody should follow the law, but that’s not what we’re seeing right now; I think we’re going too far,” Escalona said.
The organizer of the event Monday accused ICE of arresting ordinary people, not the hardened criminals President Donald Trump promised would be the targets. The result, he said, is that a climate of fear has been created.
“And it’s also creating a dynamic where people are afraid to call the police to report crimes,” said Thomas Kennedy, leader of the Florida Immigrant Coalition.
“We do not want anyone in the community to feel like we’re the boogeyman and we’re out to get them when they need our help,” said Miami Police Chief Edwin Lopez at the city commission meeting on June 25.
Lopez said he wanted the community to know that Miami Police officers have not helped ICE arrest anyone who was not wanted for criminal charges.
Miami Mayor Eileen Higgins campaigned against the 287(g) agreement when she ran for office, and sent NBC6 a statement Monday, saying “Since my campaign and since taking office, I have made clear to the community that we must treat all residents humanely and with dignity, which is why I said the City should revisit the 287(g) agreement. Since then, the Commission held a discussion at the end of June, and I look forward to a legislative item reaching my desk so I can sign it swiftly.”
During her campaign, Higgins said Miami should’ve joined the city of South Miami in resisting the pressure to sign the 287(g) agreement.