The Coral Gables Police Department's recent partnership with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is drawing significant criticism. Under the agreement, local officers are trained to enforce immigration laws, a move critics argue could damage the relationship between police and immigrant residents. CBS News Miami reports that residents and activists are voicing concerns, with Community Justice Project member Alana Greer stating, "Nothing in state law, federal law, or even in the contract they signed required Coral Gables to do this."
Critics of the collaboration say it goes beyond legal requirements and misdirects city resources. Juan Cuba from the Miami Freedom Project and a Coral Gables resident, told CBS News Miami, "Coral Gables Police should be focused on looking out for the community, not enforcing immigration laws or doing ICE's job."
Greer added in a report from WSVN, "City police should have no role in civil immigration enforcement. It breaks the trust between our residents, it diverts our resources and our taxpayer dollars and it harms our neighbors, our friends, and our community."
Despite the criticism, Coral Gables Police Chief Ed Hudak and Mayor Vince Lago support the decision. Hudak defended the partnership, citing past human smuggling incidents as justification. Lago also explained that the focus is on individuals with criminal backgrounds involved in illegal activities within the city.
This local issue is part of a larger trend in Florida, where the state government, under Governor Ron DeSantis, has recently passed immigration laws aligning with former President Trump's policies.
