Hialeah council approves memorandum of agreement with ICE after heated public comment

The Hialeah City Council voted to approve a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that allows the mayor, chief of police and city clerk to enter into the agreement on behalf of the city.

Supporters and opponents made competing arguments at the March meeting. Several residents told the council the MOA would harm immigrant communities and divert local police resources; during public comment Julio Rodriguez said the MOA would “make our local police officers immigration officials” and urged placing the matter on the ballot. Tony Masa Olivera cited studies of costs and civil‑rights problems in other jurisdictions and called the agreement “expensive, unnecessary and harmful.”

City officials, including Chief George Fuentes of the Hialeah Police Department, said the MOA does not change day‑to‑day policing or require officers to ask residents about immigration status. “This agreement does not weaponize our Hialeah Police Officers against our City Of Hialeah residents,” Fuentes said, describing the MOA as an administrative agreement that permits select officers to receive training and to assist federal agencies when asked. A council member seeking clarity said she supported the department but wanted the community to understand the scope of the item.

Council debate emphasized that the agreement aligns Hialeah with other agencies that already have similar arrangements; Fuentes noted Miami‑Dade County and other local agencies maintain such relationships with federal partners. The council rejected characterization that the city would conduct raids or routinely question immigration status during traffic stops; multiple officials repeated that ordinary policing will continue and the agreement is limited to cooperating with federal requests and allowing selected officers to be trained on immigration protocols.

Councilmember Zogby moved to approve the resolution; the motion was seconded and carried on a roll call with all members present voting in favor of the resolution.

What the MOA authorizes: the resolution and attached agreement authorize selected Hialeah Police officers to be designated for training and operational assistance to ICE when requested and to participate as a “participating United States government agency” for specific operations. City officials said participation is voluntary for individual officers and intended to preserve eligibility for certain federal grants.

What opponents raised: speakers during public comment warned the MOA could discourage victims and witnesses from reporting crimes, create racial profiling risks and impose costs on the city. One speaker referenced Department of Justice findings in other counties to argue the agreements have led to constitutional violations elsewhere. Opponents also questioned who would bear personnel and administrative costs if the program required additional local resources.

Next steps: the resolution takes effect as provided in the agreement. The chief, mayor and city clerk were authorized to execute the MOA and city staff said they will provide details to the public on implementation and the selection process for officers to receive training.

Votes at a glance: Motion to approve MOA with ICE—mover: Councilmember Zogby; second: (recorded). Vote: unanimous among members voting (recorded as Yes by La Vega, Garcia Rovis, Perez, Zogby, Junco, Tundidol).