Venezuelan-majority city moves toward federal immigration enforcement partnership amid TPS concerns
Doral, long recognized as the Venezuelan heartbeat of Miami-Dade County, is poised to take a significant step that could reshape its relationship with the immigrant community. On Wednesday, the Doral City Council is expected to authorize a controversial partnership with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under the 287(g) program. This would empower local police officers to perform limited immigration enforcement functions, an alignment with the Trump administration's ongoing crackdown on undocumented immigrants.
The move has sparked concern among immigrant advocates who fear it may encourage racial profiling and erode community trust. City officials insist the measure is not intended to criminalize residents based on their appearance or origin.
“The intention isn’t to detain anyone based on how they look,” said Council Member Rafael Pineyro, the only Venezuelan-American on the council. “Our focus remains on lawful enforcement, not profiling.”
Tensions rise amid TPS rollbacks
The city’s decision comes as the Trump administration intensifies efforts to dismantle Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelans. This protection has allowed more than 600,000 people to live and work legally in the United States. In Doral, where over 70% of the population is foreign-born, and Venezuelans make up a significant portion, the potential revocation of TPS could have dire consequences.
Pineyro, who previously sponsored a resolution urging the Trump administration to safeguard law-abiding Venezuelans, now finds himself backing a policy seen by many as a betrayal of that very community. His balancing act between supporting federal laws and defending vulnerable constituents has drawn both criticism and praise.
Earlier this year, the same council endorsed the Venezuelan Adjustment Act, a federal bill that would provide a path to green cards for tens of thousands of Venezuelans. However, joining the 287(g) program appears to many as a stark shift in tone.
State pressure meets local resistance
Florida’s aggressive push to enlist local police in immigration enforcement has created tension among municipalities. While the state mandates county jails to participate in 287(g), it stops short of requiring city police departments. Governor Ron DeSantis, a vocal supporter of federal-local cooperation on immigration, has reportedly pressured cities like Doral to fall in line.
Some cities, including South Miami, have taken legal action to challenge the state’s authority. Others, like Fort Myers, initially resisted but eventually capitulated under threat of official suspension by the state attorney general.
Despite this environment, Doral officials previously explored ways to avoid entering the agreement without jeopardizing federal funding or risking a “sanctuary city” label. That caution now seems to be giving way to compliance.
Community trust on the line
For a city known as a haven for Venezuelans fleeing political turmoil, the decision carries symbolic weight. Community leaders warn it may fracture the fragile trust between residents and law enforcement.
“By transforming local law enforcement into instruments of the Department of Homeland Security’s enforcement, Doral’s elected officials have broken the trust of the city’s large Venezuelan community,” said Adelys Ferro, executive director of the Venezuelan American Caucus.
As uncertainty looms, many worry about the broader consequences, socially, economically, and politically. With Venezuelans forming a powerful voting bloc in Doral, the ramifications of this decision could echo beyond city hall and into the ballot box.
Visit Calle Ocho News for ongoing updates and in-depth coverage of immigration policies and their impact on our communities.
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