Tallahassee, FL — On Tuesday, immigrant communities and their supporters spoke out against a program that enlists local law enforcement in Florida to cooperate with federal immigration agents, claiming it sparks widespread fear and disrupts the lives of families. Under President Donald Trump’s administration, the use of the 287(g) program, which deputizes local police to perform immigration enforcement duties, has seen more expansive application in the state.
Critics argue that the collaboration between local police and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) compels undocumented immigrants to withdraw from community engagement, fearing deportation could follow any interaction with local authorities. “People become afraid to even take their children to school or seek medical help,” said Tessa Petit, who leads the Florida Immigrant Coalition.
The program, established in 1996, authorizes local law enforcement officials to determine the immigration status of individuals in their custody and detain them on behalf of ICE, aiming to identify and potentially deport undocumented immigrants already incarcerated. All of Florida’s 67 counties have now entered into such agreements with federal authorities.
Governor Ron DeSantis has voiced strong support for these partnerships, viewing them as pivotal to enforcing immigration laws. He has praised the initiative for reinforcing the president’s vigorous approach to deportations, which he believes will safeguard communities.
However, Florida houses approximately 590,000 of the nearly 11 million undocumented immigrants estimated to be in the U.S., making it the state with the third-highest number of undocumented residents. This demographic plays a crucial role in several of the state’s key industries, such as agriculture and tourism, raising concerns about the economic impact of aggressive deportation policies.
Alfonso, a U.S. citizen with an undocumented parent, vocalized his fear during the press conference, emphasizing the personal tolls of the program. “Living under the constant threat that a simple traffic stop could lead to a family member’s deportation is excruciating,” he said, choosing to withhold his last name to protect his family.
The revived use of the 287(g) program has also rekindled concerns about racial profiling. In the past, similar enforcement strategies under different administrations have been criticized and, in cases like Arizona’s Maricopa County under Sheriff Joe Arpaio, legally challenged due to civil rights violations.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd dismissed these concerns as unfounded at a recent press conference. Nonetheless, legal experts like Alana Greer, director of the Community Justice Project in Miami, warn that such agreements could expose cities to costly litigation over allegations of unconstitutional practices.
Activists maintain that the fear instilled by these agreements goes beyond the immediate legal implications, suggesting they are intended to pressure undocumented individuals to leave the U.S. voluntarily. “This isn’t just about law enforcement; it’s about inducing panic so that people choose to self-deport,” stated Juan Cuba from the Sheriff Accountability Action.
As the debate continues, the communities affected brace for continued uncertainty while advocacy groups and legal experts scrutinize the broader implications of these law enforcement collaborations.
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