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Miami Herald
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Miami commissioners cautious with answers on whether they'll vote for ICE agreement
South Florida's largest city could deputize its police officers with immigration enforcement powers later this week, adding to a growing sense of uncertainty in the region as the Trump administration carries out its full-forced crackdown on immigration. On Thursday, the Miami City Commission is scheduled to vote to enter into what's known as a 287(g) agreement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The city would join the 'task force' model, which allows police officers to conduct immigration enforcement functions during routine work and to question, arrest and detain people suspected of violating immigration law. However, despite the fact that the agreement is on Thursday's meeting agenda, two city commissioners told the Miami Herald that the item might be deferred for the second time. The commission previously deferred the item in April in order to postpone the vote until after the June 3 special election to replace the late Commissioner Manolo Reyes. Commissioner Joe Carollo declined to say whether he plans to vote in favor of the agreement but said he has been monitoring the protests against ICE in Los Angeles, where Trump deployed the National Guard. Asked where he stands on the 287(g) agreement, Carollo said he's 'certainly looking carefully' at Los Angeles, which he said has 'frankly been a factor in the way that I'm gonna be going at this.' Commissioner Damian Pardo said in a statement that 'as a life long advocate for a legal path for US citizenship and a supporter of TPS, I am not in favor of 287(g).' 'Regardless of how well this plan may be implemented by local enforcement agencies, and in addition to the human rights considerations, I am very concerned with the hostile climate these policies create for immigrants,' Pardo said. He added that the city's economy is boosted by the 'inflow of business from Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe.' 'Our city has benefited enormously from our attraction as a destination to the international community,' Pardo added. 'I would argue that attraction is the 'Magic' in the Magic city. Let's keep it that way.' Both Carollo and Pardo said the item would likely be deferred. READ MORE: What the end of CHNV parole program means for a half-million migrants, many in Florida The City Commission was scheduled to take its vote on June 12, which will be the first commission meeting for newly elected District 4 Commissioner Ralph Rosado. According to voting map data, over 90% of voting-age citizens in District 4 are Hispanic, meaning Rosado's district has the largest concentration of Hispanics in the city's five voting districts. Speaking at his election night watch party last week, the freshman commissioner said he hadn't decided yet how he will vote on the 287(g) agreement. 'I've been discussing it with a number of people,' Rosado said, adding that he has 'a series of legal questions' that he wants to ask the city attorney before making a decision. Commissioner Christine King, who is also the commission chairwoman, declined to comment on the ICE agreement. Reached Monday, Commissioner Miguel Angel Gabela said he would get back to the Herald at a later time with a comment. Mayor Francis Suarez, who does not have a vote on the commission but who does have veto power, did not respond to a request asking whether he supports the city entering the 287(g) agreement. A city spokesperson said Monday that it is 'too premature' to say whether the item will be deferred. She did not directly respond to questions asking if a potential deferral was related to current events like the L.A. protests or the travel ban that went into effect Monday. Municipal and local police departments are not explicitly required to join 287(g) agreements, but Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier have argued that under the state's sanctuary law, they are mandated to do so. Uthmeier threatened to punish Fort Myers City Council members earlier this year when they declined to enroll in the program. Still, most Miami-Dade cities, including Miami Beach and Miami Gardens, have yet to join the program, according to ICE's database for participating agencies. Entering the 287(g) agreement could have a major impact in Miami, where about 58% of residents are foreign born and over 70% are Hispanic or Latino, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. With just under a half-million people, Miami is the largest city in Miami-Dade County and the second largest in Florida. Miami would join a list of other Miami-Dade cities that have entered 287(g) agreements in recent months, including Hialeah, Sweetwater, Coral Gables, West Miami, Sunny Isles Beach and Miami Springs. If it happens this week, the City Commission vote would land at a time of increased uncertainty for non-citizens, with the Trump administration implementing a series of immigration policies in recent weeks that have targeted communities with large populations in South Florida. In addition to Monday's travel ban, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled late last month in favor of a Trump administration plan that ended the humanitarian parole program known as CHNV, which allowed people from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela to legally enter the United States. The decision affects more than 500,000 migrants who were granted temporary legal status.
CBS News
7 days ago
- Business
- CBS News
Ralph Rosado wins District 4 special election, vows independent voice on Miami City Commission
A new face is joining the Miami City Commission. Urban planner Ralph Rosado has won the special election for Miami's District 4 seat, defeating Jose Regalado by a narrow margin to succeed the late Commissioner Manolo Reyes. Rosado captured 55% of the vote in a race decided by fewer than 600 ballots. A return to City Hall Rosado, who previously lost a 2017 bid for the same seat, celebrated the victory as a personal and political milestone. "This has been a long road, and I'm so excited to serve the community," he said at his election night party. He called the win "incredibly exciting" and thanked supporters who helped him return to City Hall. District 4 could play a pivotal role on the commission, often serving as a tiebreaker on contentious issues. Rosado was endorsed by District 3 Commissioner Joe Carollo, while Regalado, the son of Miami-Dade Property Appraiser Tomás Regalado and brother of County Commissioner Raquel Regalado, was backed by the Reyes family. Campaign clashes and future independence Despite his alignment with Carollo, Rosado pushed back on the idea that his decisions would be swayed. "I hope to be a voice of reason," he said. "I have deep respect for each of the members of the dais, and I'm looking forward to working with them. There are no sides to take." Carollo echoed Rosado's stance, saying, "Ralph Rosado is going to be an extremely independent commissioner." Raquel Regalado, who helped manage her brother's campaign, conceded graciously. "We couldn't have done more in this short amount of time—and again, so much money and so much influence. But we're proud of the campaign we ran. We didn't lie," she said. Rosado's priorities: Seniors, storm drainage and savings Looking ahead, Rosado said he plans to focus on tax relief and infrastructure. His first initiatives include proposing a plan to eliminate city property taxes for senior citizens and continuing drainage improvement projects initiated by Reyes. "We've got to look at the budget and figure out where there are ways we can save some money," Rosado said. "We've got to give folks as much tax relief as possible." As Miami continues to recover from recent severe weather, he said he's committed to finishing what his predecessor started.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
What to know about Tuesday's special election in the city of Miami
On Tuesday night, a new face will be added to the Miami City Commission to replace the late Commissioner Manolo Reyes, who died in April. Voters in District 4, which includes parts of Flagami, West Flagler and Shenandoah, will choose between two candidates: Ralph Rosado, a former village manager in North Bay Village, and Jose Regalado, a former assistant building director in the city of Miami. Rosado, 52, is an urban planner who previously ran for the District 4 seat in 2017, losing to Reyes. Rosado has the backing of Commissioner Joe Carollo, whose political committee has funded a flurry of anti-Regalado ads. Regalado, 40, left his position with the city to run for the District 4 seat. He has the support of the Reyes family, as well as Reyes' staff. Former Commissioner Alex Díaz de la Portilla threw his support behind Regalado over the weekend, joining his campaign at early voting sites. Díaz de la Portilla also gave Regalado $1,000, according to campaign finance reports, and his political committee sent out at least one mailer in support of Regalado. Regalado is the son of Miami-Dade Property Appraiser Tomás Regalado and the brother of County Commissioner Raquel Regalado, who is operating as his campaign manager. READ MORE: Political dynasties battle behind the scenes in Miami special election On the five-member City Commission, where just three votes are needed to pass legislation, the new commissioner could become an important tiebreaker vote. Regalado is a vocal Carollo adversary, and the pair would likely find themselves on opposite sides of split decisions should Regalado win. While Rosado's candidacy is backed by Carollo, Rosado has said he would be an independent voice on the commission. Rosado is also close friends with former Miami City Attorney Victoria Méndez, but Rosado has said he would abstain from any votes related to Méndez and that he would not seek to bring her back to the city in any capacity. Early voting in the special election took place Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Polls are open Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. On Election Day, voters must go to their assigned voting location. A sample ballot can be found on the city's website. The Miami Herald will have election results after the polls close at 7. READ MORE: Dynasty city: How three Miami families may extend their decades of political power Money poured into the candidates' campaign coffers in recent weeks, with Regalado reporting $190,000 in contributions and more than $150,000 in expenditures in the latest report, which runs through May 29. Rosado raised just under $80,000 to his hard money account and spent $60,000, according to his campaign reports. Most of Rosado's fundraising power rested in his political committee, Citizens For Ethics In Government. The most recently available campaign finance report, which runs through the end of March, shows Rosado's PAC has raised about $270,000 since October, when it was formed. The second-quarter reports won't be available until after the election. Meanwhile, Tomás Regalado's political committee, Proven Leadership for Miami, has been fundraising for Jose. The PAC reported having about $60,000 on-hand in early 2025. Campaign finance reports for the relevant months won't be available until after the election.
Miami Herald
03-06-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
What to know about Tuesday's special election in the city of Miami
On Tuesday night, a new face will be added to the Miami City Commission to replace the late Commissioner Manolo Reyes, who died in April. Voters in District 4, which includes parts of Flagami, West Flagler and Shenandoah, will choose between two candidates: Ralph Rosado, a former village manager in North Bay Village, and Jose Regalado, a former assistant building director in the city of Miami. Rosado, 52, is an urban planner who previously ran for the District 4 seat in 2017, losing to Reyes. Rosado has the backing of Commissioner Joe Carollo, whose political committee has funded a flurry of anti-Regalado ads. Regalado, 40, left his position with the city to run for the District 4 seat. He has the support of the Reyes family, as well as Reyes' staff. Former Commissioner Alex Díaz de la Portilla threw his support behind Regalado over the weekend, joining his campaign at early voting sites. Díaz de la Portilla also gave Regalado $1,000, according to campaign finance reports, and his political committee sent out at least one mailer in support of Regalado. Regalado is the son of Miami-Dade Property Appraiser Tomás Regalado and the brother of County Commissioner Raquel Regalado, who is operating as his campaign manager. On the five-member City Commission, where just three votes are needed to pass legislation, the new commissioner could become an important tiebreaker vote. Regalado is a vocal Carollo adversary, and the pair would likely find themselves on opposite sides of split decisions should Regalado win. While Rosado's candidacy is backed by Carollo, Rosado has said he would be an independent voice on the commission. Rosado is also close friends with former Miami City Attorney Victoria Méndez, but Rosado has said he would abstain from any votes related to Méndez and that he would not seek to bring her back to the city in any capacity. Early voting in the special election took place Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Polls are open Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. On Election Day, voters must go to their assigned voting location. A sample ballot can be found on the city's website. The Miami Herald will have election results after the polls close at 7. Campaign finance Money poured into the candidates' campaign coffers in recent weeks, with Regalado reporting $190,000 in contributions and more than $150,000 in expenditures in the latest report, which runs through May 29. Rosado raised just under $80,000 to his hard money account and spent $60,000, according to his campaign reports. Most of Rosado's fundraising power rested in his political committee, Citizens For Ethics In Government. The most recently available campaign finance report, which runs through the end of March, shows Rosado's PAC has raised about $270,000 since October, when it was formed. The second-quarter reports won't be available until after the election. Meanwhile, Tomás Regalado's political committee, Proven Leadership for Miami, has been fundraising for Jose. The PAC reported having about $60,000 on-hand in early 2025. Campaign finance reports for the relevant months won't be available until after the election.
Miami Herald
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Fed up with Miami politics, activists are pushing for three major changes to the city
Editorials Fed up with Miami politics, activists are pushing for three major changes to the city | Opinion A coalition of civic groups is gathering petitions to create a referendum to expand the size of the Miami City Commission, change the timing of elections and add redistricting requirements. askowronski@ For more than two years, residents have watched the city of Miami become enveloped in scandals, and officials display open disregard for the public good. Now, a group of community organizations has launched an effort to gather petitions to give voters more representation. A coalition called 'Stronger Miami' — backed by a political committee of the same name — is asking registered voters who live in the city to sign a petition asking for three major changes to Miami's city charter. Coalition members include One Grove Alliance and voting rights organization Engage Miami. The coalition needs to collect an estimated 26,000 valid petition signatures to place the referendum on the ballot in the November municipal elections, which is the group's goal, or in subsequent elections. The referendum would ask voters to: Move city general elections from odd-numbered years, when turnout is low, to November during even-numbered years to coincide with midterm and presidential elections when more voters go to the polls. Expand the city commission from five to nine seats to account for Miami's population growth since districts were created in 1997 and to give better representation to individual neighborhoods. That would reduce each district's population from more than 90,000 to 50,000, making it easier for each commissioner to focus on what individual areas need. Require that commission districts may not be drawn to favor or disfavor a political party, and that they respect neighborhood and major geographic boundaries such as highways. Community activists have been talking about these changes for years. In 2023, the Herald Editorial Board's series 'Miami Dysfunction' called for a larger commission and for elections to happen in even-numbered years. We called for these reforms as Miami became embroiled in controversies that showed City Hall's inability to provide proper representation to more than 455,000 Miamians. There was the $63.5 million federal civil judgment against Commissioner Joe Carollo for using his authority to retaliate against political enemies and also a lawsuit filed by civic organizations accusing Miami of splitting neighborhoods unconstitutionally to achieve 'racial quotas' in the city commission's districts. That lawsuit resulted in a 2024 settlement that required Miami to adopt a map drawn by the plaintiffs and place a different referendum on the November ballot asking voters to create a citizens redistricting committee and to prohibit districts from favoring incumbents or particular candidates. This was an important achievement for citizens and the community organizations that sued the city, some of which are now behind the petition effort asking for even stronger district guidelines. Miami's last redistricting process — which must happen every decade after U.S. Census numbers are released — in 2022 was a blatant exercise in keeping political power in the hands of sitting commissioners and their allies, with efforts to draw Carollo's district to include his house and to draw another district to exclude the home of a candidate. There's a saying in local politics that everyone who wants something in Miami knows how to count to three — a simple majority on the five-member commission. This concentrates power in the hands of very few commissioners, some of whom we expect will fight the effort to dilute their power. Decisions in South Florida's largest city — and second-largest in the state — should require more deliberation and voices. Miami has fewer commission districts than cities with smaller or similar populations such as Miami Beach, Hialeah and Tampa. The low voter turnout in city elections only worsens that lack of representation. Only 12.58% of Miami voters cast ballots in three races in November 2023. That's just over 15,000 people voting for candidates running to control a $2.5 billion annual budget. Moving these races to coincide with higher-turnout midterm and presidential elections would ensure more voters have a say. Of course, there are downsides: Opponents say grassroots candidates would struggle to compete for attention when there are so many bigger races on the ballot — and those ballots would be longer as well. A larger commission could also dilute the voice and power of individual districts. There are no foolproof solutions to Miami's dysfunction, but erring on the side of providing more representation to voters is a good start. Click here to send the letter. BEHIND THE STORY MORE What's an editorial? Editorials are opinion pieces that reflect the views of the Miami Herald Editorial Board, a group of opinion journalists that operates separately from the Miami Herald newsroom. Miami Herald Editorial Board members are: opinion editor Amy Driscoll and editorial writers Luisa Yanez and Isadora Rangel. Read more by clicking the arrow in the upper right. What's the difference between an op-ed and a column? Op-Eds, short for 'opposite the editorial page,' are opinion pieces written by contributors who are not affiliated with our Editorial Board. Columns are recurring opinion pieces that represent the views of staff columnists that regularly appear on the op-ed page. How does the Miami Herald Editorial Board decide what to write about? The Editorial Board, made up of experienced opinion journalists, primarily addresses local and state issues that affect South Florida residents. Each board member has an area of focus, such as education, COVID or local government policy. Board members meet daily and bring up an array of topics for discussion. Once a topic is fully discussed, board members will further report the issue, interviewing stakeholders and others involved and affected, so that the board can present the most informed opinion possible. We strive to provide our community with thought leadership that advocates for policies and priorities that strengthen our communities. Our editorials promote social justice, fairness in economic, educational and social opportunities and an end to systemic racism and inequality. The Editorial Board is separate from the reporters and editors of the Miami Herald newsroom. How can I contribute to the Miami Herald Opinion section? The Editorial Board accepts op-ed submissions of 650-700 words from community members who want to argue a specific viewpoint or idea that is relevant to our area. You can email an op-ed submission to oped@ We also accept 150-word letters to the editor from readers who want to offer their points of view on current issues. For more information on how to submit a letter, go here.
