Coral Gables Police Chief Ed Hudak is addressing concerns surrounding the city’s participation in the 287G agreements, which assist federal immigration authorities.
Hudak emphasized that while fears have been raised, the facts of the agreement are often misunderstood.
“I don’t see us going out and checking on gardeners,” he told Local 10 News on Tuesday.
The 287G agreements are designed to give trained local law enforcement agencies the tools they need to assist with federal immigration enforcement.
“We’re going to give us the tools — the officers that we choose — to give us the tools to do what ICE investigation questions may be.”
These tools include specific training for designated officers, much like the training given to officers who work with federal drug or terrorism task forces.
Another critical aspect of the agreement is access to federal immigration databases that list undocumented individuals who may be subject to detainment.
Hudak pointed out that this could be critical cases such as last month, when authorities confronted Chinese nationals apparently smuggled ashore.
“If I can access that through this agreement and partner with them, why wouldn’t I to protect our local community?” Hudak asked.
However, immigrant advocates, such as Alana Greer from the Community Justice Project, are urging Coral Gables leaders to opt out of the agreement.
Greer stated, “If you’re an asylum applicant who missed a mailing, if you’re a TPS holder now expiring in a few months, those things populate on the list and turns our local police officers into enforcers of civil immigration law.”
The 287G agreements are part of a broader set of immigration laws signed by the governor last month.
These agreements are technically “opt-in” — meaning agencies have the option to participate. However, there are concerns that agencies that choose not to participate may face unclear consequences, making the decision to opt in a weighty one.
Hudak reassured the public, stating, “Nowhere in the agreement does it give up my control over my task force. So if they’re are asked to do something I’m not in favor of, then they are not going to do it.”
Florida has the most law enforcement agencies in the country participating in the 287G agreements, with sheriffs in all 67 counties signed on.
In the past week, several cities, including Davie, Sunny Isles, Key West, Palm Beach, and Palm Beach Gardens, have also entered into similar agreements. It appears that Coral Gables and Hialeah will soon be added to this list.
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