Doral, Florida's ICE Partnership: Mayor Addresses Immigrant Community Concerns

Doral's Mandatory ICE Partnership

• 🤝 Doral, Florida, a city 85% Hispanic and Latino, has unanimously voted to partner with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under a new state directive.
• ⚖️ This partnership, mandated by a state law signed in February, requires local municipalities to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with ICE, with penalties for non-compliance.
• ⚠️ Mayor Christi Fraga stated the decision was not voluntary and was driven by the state's obligation, noting that all 67 counties have reportedly complied.

Reassurance for Immigrant Residents

• 🗣️ Mayor Fraga emphasized that the city's police officers will not become ICE agents and that the priority remains the safety and protection of all residents.
• 🏘️ The city has invested heavily in community policing and building trust, and they want residents, especially victims of crime, to feel safe reporting to local law enforcement.
• 🇺🇸 Fraga acknowledged the anxiety within the community, particularly among residents with statuses like TPS, and stressed that the city serves and protects everyone.

Mayor's Personal Perspective

• 🇨🇺 Mayor Fraga, whose family immigrated from Cuba fleeing oppression, highlighted her belief in legal immigration processes and that people should come to the country the "right way."
• 🚫 While supporting legal immigration, she stated the city does not want criminals in the country.
• 💔 The partnership was personally challenging due to the potential for residents to become fearful of their own police and the damage it could do to established community trust.

Addressing 'Little Venezuela'

• 📈 Doral is known as 'Little Venezuela,' with a significant portion of its residents having Venezuelan origins.
• 📢 The mayor assured these residents, along with those from Colombian, Nicaraguan, and Cuban communities, that the city stands up for law-abiding immigrants and recognizes their contributions as productive members of society.