The City of Miami is considering a new agreement with ICE. It would let local police enforce immigration laws during their daily work.
The Miami City Commission is set to vote on the proposal Thursday. If approved, the city would enter a 287(g) agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Specifically, Miami is looking at the “task force” model. This would let officers question, detain, and arrest people suspected of violating immigration laws. ICE calls this model a “force multiplier.”
However, the commission could choose to delay the vote. If passed now or later, Miami would be the largest city in the county to adopt the program.
Other cities, like Hialeah, Sweetwater, and Coral Gables, already have 287(g) agreements.
This move could impact the region in many ways. Miami is very diverse. More than half of its residents were born outside the U.S. Over 70% identify as Hispanic or Latino.
So far, Miami officials have not made public comments. City spokesperson Kenia Fallat said they’ll speak after the vote. The police department has not answered media questions.
Florida has the highest number of 287(g) agreements in the country, with over 200.
The Obama administration ended the task force model in 2012. A Justice Department report found it led to racial profiling. But President Trump brought it back earlier this year.
Currently, Florida law requires county jails to work with ICE. City police departments, however, are not required to join. Still, Governor Ron DeSantis is urging cities to comply. He says the state’s sanctuary city ban supports this cooperation.
Meanwhile, the proposal is drawing criticism. Immigrant advocates and community members have raised concerns. They fear the agreement will harm trust in police and reduce crime reporting.
On the other hand, some city leaders say the agreement is mostly symbolic. They claim it won’t result in aggressive immigration enforcement.
