On Tuesday, Hialeah's city council in Miami-Dade County is set to propose a resolution empowering Mayor Esteban Bovo Jr. to enter into an agreement with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under the 287(g) program. This agreement would authorize local police to question, detain, and enforce immigration orders. According to El Nuevo Herald, this measure allows officers to act against those allegedly violating the law amidst increasing strains on local resources due to a surge of immigrants, in a city where three-quarters of its 221,000 residents were born abroad.
Historically a haven for Cuban exiles, Hialeah now faces a massive influx of immigrants from the island and other parts of Latin America and the world. Mayor Bovo, who is soon transitioning to a lobbying role in Washington D.C., highlighted that in the past two years, up to 80,000 Cubans have arrived, contributing to an overall migration from Cuba exceeding 420,000, which he likened to a "Mariel on steroids."
The proposed collaboration aligns with policies from the Trump administration, encouraging local agencies to engage in immigration law enforcement. Several Florida police departments have already adopted similar agreements, and Hialeah seeks to follow suit to bolster local security.
However, the initiative has sparked debate: immigrant rights advocates caution that such collaborations may undermine trust in the police, making it difficult for vulnerable communities to report crimes. With this potential resolution, Hialeah positions itself at the forefront of stringent immigration policies, having previously rejected "open border policies" and adopted measures in line with federal administration directives.
It's noteworthy that the 287(g) program, announced by Governor Ron DeSantis, permits local law enforcement to act as federal immigration agents, identifying, processing, and detaining individuals without legal status. Recently, Miami-Dade County jails gained the ability to issue deportation orders for inmates under a state-backed agreement. The Miami-Dade Commission approved this resolution to enhance collaboration between local authorities and ICE agents, further strengthening the detention and deportation of immigrants with criminal records.
Governor DeSantis and His Stance on Illegal Immigration in Florida
Governor Ron DeSantis has consistently upheld a strong stance against illegal immigration, reaffirmed in his annual State of Florida speech delivered from the House Chamber at the state Capitol in Tallahassee. In his address, DeSantis emphasized that Florida will maintain strict immigration policies and will not provide sanctuary to undocumented immigrants. Additionally, the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) has intensified its immigration efforts following the agreement championed by DeSantis.
Understanding Hialeah's Immigration Enforcement Initiatives
What is the 287(g) program?
The 287(g) program enables local law enforcement agencies to collaborate with ICE by allowing them to perform immigration enforcement functions, such as questioning and detaining individuals suspected of being in the U.S. illegally.
How does Hialeah's agreement with ICE impact local residents?
The agreement allows local police to assist in immigration enforcement, potentially affecting residents who are immigrants or part of immigrant communities by increasing law enforcement presence and scrutiny.
Why has there been an influx of immigrants to Hialeah?
Hialeah has seen a surge of immigrants, particularly from Cuba and other Latin American countries, due to its historical reputation as a welcoming city for exiles and its large immigrant community.
What are the criticisms of Hialeah's potential ICE collaboration?
Critics argue that collaboration with ICE may erode trust between immigrant communities and law enforcement, potentially discouraging crime reporting and cooperation with police.