Miami-Dade could go above and beyond to help ICE with local detainees

UPDATED: This item will be heard before the full commission on June 26.

Miami-Dade County is already cooperating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials by holding anyone they arrest that has a deportation order or is wanted by ICE. Now, there’s some fear that the county might help the federal government disappear these people.

Or, at least, information about their detention. There’s a provision in the “basic ordering agreement” being considered that makes “public disclosures” the purview of the federal government.

Does that mean the proposal in front of the county commission could basically remove information about any detainees whose information has been provided to ICE from the county’s portal or records custodian? Does it mean family members would no longer know if their loved one is still here, moved to a facility in Arizona or Texas, or already deported?

Rachel Johnson, chief of staff for Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine-Cava, says it does not.

“The Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department entered into this agreement with ICE as required by state law, along with corrections agencies across the state,” Johnson said. And a copy of the basic operating agreement indicates it was signed in March. But there is no signature from ICE.

“This agreement codifies the current operating agreement with ICE, as well as providing the county the ability to seek reimbursement from the federal government for inmates who are held for up to 48 hours of detention pursuant to an immigration detainer issued by ICE.

“Regarding the concern about public records, the language in the agreement relates to records ‘obtained or developed as a result of the BOA.’ MDCR continues to make information about inmates in our custody transparently available to the public, including maintaining a website where information about any inmate in our custody can be searched by name.”

But wouldn’t any information that transfers an inmate over ICE be included in the information developed “as a result” of the agreement? Seems like a technicality meant to give us a false sense of security.

Seems like we are going to lose access to some information and our rights — this time to public information protected under Florida’s Sunshine Laws — are going to be eroded under this federal administration. This is only to help ICE disappear the people they have in custody. There is no other reason for it.

Whose brilliant idea is this? Commissioner Roberto Gonzalez, arguably the most conservative right-wing elected on the county dais — remember, God told him to run for office — is sponsoring the measure. He posted something on social media last week that sounded so Trumpian and Ladra is sure he’s going to smile when he reads that.

“Miami-Dade is not and will not be a sanctuary county. I’m backing an item to formally approve our ICE agreement, already signed by the Mayor in March, as required by state law. We’ve honored detainers since 2019. This just ensures we get reimbursed,” Gonzalez wrote on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. “Common sense is greater than politics.”

Like Charlie Cale in Poker Face would say: Bullshit.

The “basic ordering agreement” being considered makes “public disclosures” the purview of the federal government. Why does that have to be in there at all if it’s just about reimbursement?

Levine Cava already signed the agreement, though maybe it should have been signed by Miami-Dade Sheriff Rosanna “Rosie” Cordero-Stutz? There’s a line drawn through her title.

Was it the $50 per day reimbursement per detainee? Is that going to help Levine Cava make up for the giant $400 million shortfall she is facing in next year’s budget. It’s a shameful revenue stream.

Besides, las malas lenguas say that the cost of holding a detainee is $180 a day.

Is this basically a modern-day 30 pieces of silver?

Commissioners should reject this further intrusion and erosion of our rights. This is not just about the detainee. It is about the residents — yes, even U.S. citizens, born or made — who have a right to the information about anyone who is being held in Miami-Dade corrections facilities.

We cannot condone living in a country where people disappear — physically or virtually.

The item was originally on the agenda for Monday’s Miami-Dade Policy Council, but that meeting was cancelled due to lack of a quorum. The commission meeting on June 26 can be viewed online here.

Miami-Dade could go above and beyond to help ICE with local detainees added by Ladra on June 9, 2025
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