South Miami Mayor Javier Fernández, situated in Miami-Dade County, alongside numerous immigration attorneys, is calling on Florida cities to reevaluate their collaboration with federal immigration authorities. This appeal emerges as President Donald Trump’s administration implements what migrant-rights advocates characterize as an “aggressive” deportation strategy.
During a virtual press conference held Thursday, Fernández emphasized that local authorities have no legal obligation to enter into 287(g) agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). These agreements transfer specific federal immigration enforcement capabilities to local law enforcement, including the authority to identify and hold individuals suspected of residing in the country without proper documentation.
The mayor referenced recent court statements made by state attorneys in August, acknowledging that municipalities aren’t legally bound to participate in these partnerships. “We feel fully validated by this acknowledgment,” Fernández said. South Miami has initiated legal proceedings to determine the agreements’ legal boundaries, contending that forcing cities to participate would represent an overreach of state authority.
“These admissions should offer obvious relief to cities that have not signed an agreement and have been subjected to extreme, unjustified, and unlawful pressure,” said Alana Greer, director of the Community Justice Project, at the same event.
Since South Miami doesn’t maintain a detention facility, it isn’t bound by the mandate affecting Florida’s 67 counties, which operate local jails and must work with ICE. However, various cities—including Fort Myers, Key West, and Tallahassee—have implemented 287(g) agreements, often following pressure from Florida’s executive branch. Governor Ron DeSantis and his supporters have threatened to impose sanctions on municipal officials or reduce state funding to compel cities to work with the federal agency. South Miami is located in Miami-Dade County, which hosts one of America’s largest Haitian immigrant populations.
Jacqueline “Jack” Porter, a Tallahassee city commissioner, criticized what she described as a climate of political intimidation. “Local officials are being threatened simply for daring to question these agreements,” she said. “We now know that the state itself has acknowledged this is not a legal requirement.” Porter indicated that Tallahassee might review its current ICE agreement, noting that the existing cooperation “undermines trust between police and immigrant residents.”
Based on research by WLRN Public Media, Florida now hosts approximately one-third of all active ICE partnerships with U.S. law enforcement agencies—making it one of the most involved states in implementing federal immigration policies under the Trump administration.
Currently, South Miami stands alone among Florida cities in legally challenging the state’s stance. The lawsuit aims to resolve a fundamental question: Can municipalities independently choose not to participate in federal removal policy?
Pending the court’s decision, the state attorneys’ statements represent a symbolic political victory for Mayor Fernández and his supporters. This development might inspire other municipalities to challenge the governor’s influence and reconsider their existing local policies.
“This case goes beyond the narrow legal issues,” added attorney Alana Greer. “It’s about protecting our communities, preserving the separation of powers, and ensuring cities can decide whether they will—or will not—participate in a deportation machine that tears families apart.”
Meanwhile, South Miami maintains its position, rejecting assertions that it is implementing a so-called “sanctuary” policy, which Florida law prohibits. The city maintains that its sole intention is to “act in accordance with the law and with local democratic values.”
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Primary source: WLRN Public Media
