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Largo Commission approves 287(g) memorandum of agreement with ICE on 6-1 vote
Summary
The Largo City Commission authorized the Largo Police Department to enter a memorandum of agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement under the 287(g) task force model after staff described training and operational benefits; the measure passed 6-1 after commissioners questioned need, cost and how the agreement would be used.
The Largo City Commission on March 18 authorized the Largo Police Department to enter into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement under the 287(g) task force model, passing the motion 6-1.
City Attorney Zima told commissioners the action responds to recent Florida legislation and follows a commonly used federal model: “The statute effectively says that, it's directing Florida local and state law enforcement agencies and the officials responsible for directing and supervising them shall use best efforts to support the enforcement of federal immigration law,” he said. Zima added the MOA model has been used across the country and that the governor’s office expects agencies to adopt it.
Largo Police Department leadership recommended the MOA, listing benefits including “increased safety and security, improved and increased training and support, [and] efficient resource utilization,” and said a copy of the agreement was available in the agenda packet. The chief said the agreement would allow the department to nominate and send officers to federal training under the 287(g) program and that ICE would provide the training and deputization.
Commissioners pressed for specifics: Commissioner Smith recounted that the program was abandoned in 2012 and said she understood 67 county sheriffs had signed similar agreements; she asked whether the city was approached or initiated the MOA and whether the sheriff’s office in Pinellas County already had 287(g) deputies. The chief said the Florida Police Chiefs Association circulated a common template after direction from the governor and that the sheriff’s office already receives 287(g) deputized personnel at its jail.
Commissioner Lauser asked what Largo would gain if nearby Pinellas County already participated. The chief replied that with a signed MOA and deputized officers the city could detain a person with a civil immigration warrant and transport them after ICE confirms the warrant; without the MOA the department would hold the person and request ICE custody. On cost, the chief said ICE would pay for deputization training and related travel; the city would incur normal staff time and routine processing costs for detentions that would not be reimbursed.
Commissioner Lauser said he did not support the item that night, saying, “I’m not a big sanctuary city thing, that's not what I'm pushing. I just don't think we really need this at this time in our city.” Other commissioners moved and seconded the motion to authorize the MOA; the vote passed 6-1.
No ordinance or local code changes were required to approve the MOA, and the chief said the agreement would be signed by the mayor following commission authorization. Commissioners did not direct additional staff reports beyond requests for statistics and operational details that had been asked for during the discussion.
Votes at a glance: the motion to authorize the Largo Police Department to enter into the 287(g) task force MOA with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement passed 6-1.
