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Homestead council approves 287(g) training memorandum with ICE over community objections
Summary
The City of Homestead voted to authorize a memorandum of agreement under Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, allowing designated Homestead Police Department officers to be trained to assist ICE under ICE supervision; the council approved the MOA 5–2.
The City of Homestead voted to authorize a memorandum of agreement under Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, allowing designated Homestead Police Department (HPD) officers to undergo ICE training and, in limited circumstances and under ICE supervision, assist with immigration enforcement. The council approved the MOA in a roll call vote, 5–2.
The vote followed public comment and a lengthy council discussion about public safety, community trust and the limits of local authority. Commissioner Raquel Regalado, Miami‑Dade County Commissioner and chair of the county committee that oversees water and sewer, told the council the issue had become a national political conversation but that county-level decisions “were not allowed to go through the regular process” in that instance; she urged municipalities to insist on proper notice and process for decisions that affect residents. Oscar Ludonio, co‑executive director of the local nonprofit We Count, spoke in opposition, saying the city “is not legally required to enter into a 287(g) agreement” and that the MOA “would allow HPD to deputize officers and stop local residents in our community and act as ICE agents.”
HPD’s chief (identified in the meeting only by title) said officers already collaborate with many federal task forces, and described how the MOA would work in practice: “They’ll get trained and then they can’t really exercise this authority unless they’re under the supervision of ICE.” The chief told council the authorization would not be department‑wide and that only trained, authorized officers would operate under ICE supervision during joint activities.
Council members split over whether the MOA would help remove dangerous criminals more quickly or would chill immigrant cooperation with police. Councilman Cannonball moved the motion to approve and Councilman Davis seconded it. In a recorded roll call, Councilmembers Davis, Avila, Cannonball, Vice Mayor Fletcher and Mayor Lawson voted yes; Councilmembers Roth and Bailey voted no. The motion carried and the MOA was approved.
Council members and public commenters discussed several next steps the city pledged to pursue after the vote: expanded community education about the MOA and HPD practice, possible use of the Human Relations Board for outreach, and consideration of a community task force to provide ongoing dialogue and oversight between the department and affected residents. Several speakers asked the city to delay action while South Miami and other municipalities seek judicial clarity about state law impacts; council members who supported the MOA said the training was limited, supervisory and intended to help remove violent offenders quickly.
The council motion authorizes the city manager to execute the agreement and directs HPD to implement the MOA consistent with HPD policy and applicable federal supervision.
Votes at a glance: the council approved the MOA with a 5–2 roll call vote. The approval included direction that any officers working under the MOA must receive ICE training and operate under ICE supervision.
