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Residents press St. Petersburg council to end 287(g) agreement with ICE
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Summary
Multiple residents and faith leaders urged the City Council to rescind or refuse cooperation under the city's 287(g) agreement with ICE, saying the partnership harms immigrant communities; council members acknowledged concerns and said they will explore legal and policy options.
Several residents, clergy and advocacy groups used the Feb. 5 St. Petersburg City Council meeting to press elected officials to end the city's 287(g) agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Testifiers described fear in immigrant communities, cited national examples of harsh enforcement tactics and urged the city to sever or refuse participation in cooperative enforcement.
Reverend Ben Atherton Zeman of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Saint Petersburg said, "Any way we're connected to ICE as a city puts blood on our hands," and called on council to 'defund ICE.' Multiple other speakers said the city’s 287(g) arrangement subjects immigrant neighbors to increased stops, arrests and family separations and undermines public safety by silencing crime victims.
City communications and follow‑up: A member of the public said she had received a statement from the council chair’s legislative aide that relayed the police department's position: that the department is not part of ICE and only assists ICE during lawful encounters when officers encounter an individual who is also a suspect in a criminal investigation, or when there is an active warrant. That statement — read into the record during public comment — also said that, as of that writing, detectives had not received 287(g) training.
Council response: Several council members acknowledged constituent concern and said they are working with community groups to identify legal and operational options. Vice Chair Richie Floyd said he has been meeting with the N287G campaign to find paths that reflect city values; Council Member Corey Givens said he had discussed the agreement with local law enforcement and nonprofit partners and was arranging legal support for affected residents. No formal motion to rescind the agreement was made during the meeting.
What's next: Speakers urged council to act quickly; some said the state’s recent bills and public statements make the issue more urgent. Council members indicated they would continue to discuss the matter with legal staff and community partners and to monitor litigation and policy developments.
