City of Miami Commissioners voted 3-2 in favor of a resolution on Wednesday to allow the Miami Police Department to join a Section 287(g) Task Force in partnership with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security.
Commissioners Miguel Angel Gabela, Joe Carollo and Ralph “Rafael” Rosado voted for the resolution. Commissioners Christine King and Damian Pardo voted against.
The 287 (g) program was reinstated by the Trump administration, which authorizes immigration enforcement.
"I do not believe we should be voluntarily enter into this agreement," King said. The policy was also opposed by many public speakers before the vote.
On the other hand, Rosado said he had "faith" in the police department to do the job. He also worried about possible fallout from the state if the city hadn't agreed.
Miami Police Chief Manuel A. Morales moreover shared a similar sentiment.
The approval comes after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a comprehensive anti-illegal immigration package in February, which the agenda acknowledged. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) also OK'ed state law enforcement agencies to join in 287(g) agreements and work with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to carry out immigration crackdowns across the state.
In the months that followed DeSantis's signature, the state has stepped up immigration raids through various task forces, including Operation Tidal Wave.
The vote by Miami Commissioners follows a flip-flop decision on the policy by Broward County Sheriff (BSO) Gregory Tony. At first, Sheriff Tony said BSO would not partner with ICE on immigration raids in Broward.
"No, we're not playing in that cesspool. The patch on our sleeves says Broward County. We're not ICE. We're not immigration," Tony said at the time. "I don't work for the Department of Justice. I don't work for the President of the United States. I work for the people of this community."
That didn't last long.
After pressure from Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier to rethink his decision, Tony reversed course in a letter to the attorney general and entered the 87(g) Task Force Mode with ICE.
