Activists want Miami to end its ICE agreement. Here’s what to know

Activists gathered outside Miami City Hall this week to demand that the city rescind its agreement with ICE, as thousands of Haitians in South Florida face uncertainty after losing their work authorizations through Temporary Protected Status. Mayor Eileen Higgins says she supports ending the partnership known as 287(g) but needs commission action.

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FULL STORY: Activists renew calls for Miami to end ICE agreement. Mayor is in support

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Here are key takeaways:

• The 287(g) program lets local police carry out federal immigration enforcement. Miami entered the agreement last summer despite public opposition.
• State Rep. Angie Nixon, a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, called out Higgins directly, saying “this is not just about Republicans” and urging Democrats like Higgins to show “political courage” to end the deal.
• Higgins says she wants to sign legislation ending 287(g), but she needs three of five city commissioners to pass it. Commissioners Rolando Escalona, Christine King and Damian Pardo have expressed openness to rescinding the agreement.
• City Attorney George Wysong warned that ending 287(g) could jeopardize about $7.5 million in state funding to the city. King responded that “$7.5 million is worth saving a life, a family.”
• City Manager James Reyes said only two Miami police officers are trained under 287(g), and officers are not profiling people or asking about immigration status. The commission is in recess until September.

This report was produced with the assistance of a proprietary tool powered by artificial intelligence and using our own originally reported, written and published content. It was reviewed and edited by our journalists.

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