The city of Miami wants to exit its ICE 287(g) deal. Here's what to know | Opinion

Miami commissioners are weighing whether to end the city’s 287(g) partnership with ICE after residents pleaded for its termination. But opinion columnist Mary Anna Mancuso argues the exit would change little in practice — while potentially costing the city millions.

FULL STORY: The city of Miami wants to end this ICE program. Here’s why it doesn’t matter | Opinion

Here are key takeaways:

• Mancuso argues that ending Miami’s 287(g) agreement would be mostly symbolic. Opponents’ real fight is with Florida and the federal government, not city hall.
• Only two Miami police officers are trained under the agreement, and they get involved only after someone is arrested on a criminal charge, according to City Manager James Reyes. The city has issued just 14 immigration detainers, all tied to serious crimes or repeat offenders.
• Miami’s enforcement footprint is tiny compared to neighbors. Between August 2025 and last month, Sunny Isles Beach made 32 immigration-related arrests and Miami Springs made 16 detentions. Miami police made one.
• The fear in immigrant communities is real — but it’s driven by ICE’s Miami field office, which has arrested over 41,000 people since the start of the Trump administration, more than any other field office nationwide.
• Exiting carries real costs. City Attorney George Wysong warned the city could lose roughly $7.5 million in state funding. Key West and Fort Myers tried to reject 287(g) last year and reversed course after Attorney General James Uthmeier threatened their officials with removal.

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