Doral, a city in Miami-Dade County known as Doralzuela for its large Venezuelan community, is preparing to officially partner with the federal government in enforcing immigration laws, according to a new report by the Miami Herald.
Concretely, te city council will soon vote on joining Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) controversial 287(g) program. This agreement would authorize local police to engage in immigration enforcement actions, including questioning, detaining, and processing individuals suspected of immigration violations.
The move aligns Doral, home to the largest Venezuelan-American community in the U.S., more closely with President Donald Trump's immigration agenda. Trump's policies have targeted Venezuelans specifically, stripping many of temporary protections against deportation, ending their work permits, and even transferring some alleged gang members to a large-scale detention facility in El Salvador without due process.
Despite the partnership's implications, Doral officials insist their intention is not to profile or criminalize immigrants living within the community. Council Member Rafael Pineyro, the sole Venezuelan-American on the council, told the Miami Herald that the goal is lawful enforcement rather than targeting individuals based on their appearance or ethnicity.
Pineyro has previously supported resolutions urging the Trump administration to find protective solutions for law-abiding Venezuelans and backed the Venezuelan Adjustment Act, a bill proposing legal permanent residency for tens of thousands of Venezuelans in the U.S.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has been encouraging local law enforcement across the state to join ICE agreements. Florida already leads the nation with more than 100 local governments enrolled in similar programs. Cities like Coral Gables, Hialeah, Miami Springs, West Miami, and Key West are also participants.
Not all Florida cities, however, have embraced the pressure willingly. South Miami, for instance, has sought legal clarity on whether state law mandates participation in 287(g) programs. Fort Myers initially resisted joining but eventually capitulated under threat from the state attorney general.
Doral's predicament is unique given its predominantly immigrant population—over 70% foreign-born, with Venezuelans comprising more than a third of the residents. Advocates warn the agreement could severely undermine community's safety and economy.
Adelys Ferro, executive director of the Venezuelan American Caucus, voiced strong opposition to the plan, asserting it would convert local police into tools of federal immigration authorities, betraying the trust and safety of residents. She told the Miami Herald that the community depends on police for protection, not persecution.
As the Doral City Council prepares to finalize its decision, the outcome could influence broader immigration enforcement practices across South Florida, deeply impacting immigrant communities already grappling with uncertainty.
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