Florida’s largest Venezuelan stronghold poised to join forces with ICE: report
The city of Doral, Florida, known as a key hub for Venezuelan immigrants, is on the verge of finalizing an agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that would grant the city’s law enforcement the authority to carry out certain immigration-enforcement operations. Members of the Doral City Council are set to approve a partnership with ICE through the 287(g) program, which would empower Doral police officers to conduct limited immigration enforcement activities such as detentions, questioning, and processing individuals suspected of violating federal immigration laws.
This development comes amid President Donald Trump’s ongoing efforts to escalate deportation initiatives nationwide, which have included efforts to enlist the support of various local law enforcement agencies in aiding federal immigration authorities. The inclusion of Doral in this initiative may come as a surprise, given that the city boasts one of the largest populations of Venezuelan immigrants in the country. This particular demographic composition has raised concerns among locals, particularly regarding the potential for racial profiling. However, city officials have moved to allay these fears by emphasizing that the partnership will focus solely on lawful enforcement practices.
Council Member Rafael Pineyro reassured the public by stating, “The intention isn’t to detain anyone based on how they look. We are obligated to follow federal and state laws, but the goal is not to target individuals based on appearance. Our focus remains on lawful enforcement, not profiling.” The 287(g) agreement, which Doral is poised to enter, has been widely utilized across multiple states since President Trump assumed office, facilitating collaboration between local law enforcement agencies and ICE.
The program comprises two primary components: identifying and processing undocumented individuals in custody who are eligible for deportation, and providing support to ICE deportation operations in the field. Participating local law enforcement officers undergo a 40-hour ICE training session and are required to maintain regular communication with ICE while engaged in immigration enforcement activities.
Doral’s forthcoming participation in the 287(g) program coincides with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ advocacy for local cooperation with federal immigration authorities. State law mandates that enforcement agencies overseeing county jails must be enrolled in 287(g) programs. Despite these developments, local activists continue to oppose the potential agreement, with Adelys Ferro, the executive director of the Venezuelan American Caucus, stating, “By transforming local law enforcement into instruments of the Department of Homeland Security’s enforcement, Doral’s elected officials have broken the trust of the city’s large Venezuelan community. The community relies on the police for protection, not persecution.”
In conclusion, the impending agreement between Doral and ICE underscores the complex intersection of immigration enforcement and local law enforcement. As the city navigates this partnership, concerns surrounding racial profiling and community trust remain at the forefront of the discussion. Stay tuned for further updates on this evolving situation.
