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Hialeah, FL - The Hialeah Police Department has officially entered into a 287(g) agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), allowing certain local officers to receive training to assist in federal immigration enforcement.
The move comes as part of a broader push by Florida lawmakers to tighten immigration policies across the state.
Under the 287(g) program, designated officers within the department will undergo specialized training to identify and process individuals flagged for potential immigration violations.
Governor Ron DeSantis has expanded this initiative, with all 67 Florida county sheriff’s offices now participating in some capacity.
During a recent Hialeah City Council meeting, officials defended the decision, emphasizing that the agreement would not change day-to-day law enforcement operations.
Hialeah Police Chief George Fuente explained that the agreement gives the department access to ICE’s federal database, which lists individuals with outstanding immigration violations.
Officers selected for the program will be trained to follow federal protocols when handling cases involving non-citizens.
Hialeah is one of several South Florida cities, including Coral Gables, Davie, Sunny Isles, and Palm Beach Gardens, to sign onto similar agreements.
Florida now leads the nation in local law enforcement agencies cooperating with ICE through the 287(g) program.
City leaders have reiterated that the agreement is intended to focus on individuals who pose a public safety risk rather than indiscriminately targeting immigrants.
