Miami-Dade Commissioners Support Controversial Immigration Order

MIAMI — Miami-Dade Commissioners voted 9-3 on Friday to support Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez' controversial immigration order.

Dozens of advocates for undocumented immigrants had to be cleared from the chamber after some people began shouting "shame on you" following the late afternoon vote.

Prior to the vote, Mayor Gimenez defended his order saying that Miami-Dade police will never become immigration officers on his watch, but that the threat of federal funding cuts from the Trump administration is very real.

Earlier on Friday the commission heard from dozens of supporters speaking on behalf of the thousands of undocumented immigrants that are believed to be living and working in Miami-Dade County.

Many of the commissioners and Mayor Gimenez himself are immigrants that came to the U.S. for a better life. They insisted that the change in policy only affects undocumented immigrants who have been arrested by police for alleged violations of Florida law.

The resolution passed by commissioners on Friday rejects any attempt to designate Miami-Dade as a "sanctuary jurisdiction," "sanctuary city" or "sanctuary county" and instructs the mayor to continue to comply with federal immigration detainer requests for people incarcerated at county facilities, which is consistent with the mayor's earlier directive.

The resolution was sponsored by Commissioners Sally A. Heyman and Esteban L. Bovo, Jr., who is also chair of the commission.

Commissioner Barbara J. Jordan did not cast a vote.

Voting against the measure were Commissioners Jean Monestime, Xavier L. Suarez and Daniella Levine Cava.

Voting to support the mayor and change the county's policy with respect to honoring federal immigration detainers were Commissioners Audrey M. Edmonson, Sally A. Heyman, Bruno A. Barreiro, Rebeca Sosa, Dennis C. Moss, Javier D. Souto, Joe A. Martinez and Jose "Pepe" Diaz.

Image courtesy of Miami-Dade County live stream.