Doral Police to Enforce Immigration Laws with ICE

The Doral City Council unanimously voted to authorize its police department to participate in the federal 287(g) program, allowing officers to detain and process individuals suspected of being in the country illegally in cooperation with ICE. The vote followed a contentious council meeting and was driven by state directives and pressure from Governor Ron DeSantis for increased local enforcement of federal immigration laws. City officials, including Mayor Christi Fraga, insisted the move is a legal obligation and promised training for officers, stressing that police will not become ICE agents. The decision has sparked significant concern among Doral's large immigrant community, especially Venezuelans with temporary protected status. Pro-immigration activists criticized the measure, warning it could undermine trust in law enforcement. Some city leaders acknowledged the moral and resource challenges ahead for a city where over 70% of residents are foreign-born.