Immigrant rights advocates, faith leaders, and democracy groups converged on Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday to challenge what they see as dangerous entanglements between local law enforcement and U.S. immigration authorities.
Outside the Broward County Convention Center, where the National Sheriffs’ Association was holding its annual conference, a coalition delivered a letter bearing 12,000 signatures, urging sheriffs across the country to resist involvement in federal immigration enforcement.
“When sheriffs take on the responsibility of federal immigration authorities, it undermines your core mission, stretches already limited resources, and most importantly, causes real harm,” the letter warned.
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Roughly 30 demonstrators rallied nearby, calling on sheriffs to prioritize community safety over cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The protest was organized by a coalition that includes the Florida Immigrant Coalition, faith-based groups, and pro-democracy organizations.
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The message was clear: local law enforcement should steer clear of what organizers described as the harmful immigration policies and rhetoric of President Donald Trump. The letter specifically condemned the influence of Trump’s agendas, urging sheriffs to avoid policies they say damage community trust and civil liberties.
Thomas Kennedy, representing the Florida Immigrant Coalition, stressed that involving sheriffs in immigration enforcement has chilling effects on public safety.
“It’s a bad deal for our city in general, in terms of it being a welcoming place. It’s a bad deal for civil rights. It’s a bad deal for taxpayers. It’s a bad deal for public safety because these police officers are distracted from their tasks,” Kennedy said.
As of Tuesday, the National Sheriffs’ Association had not issued a response to the letter, according to the Associated Press.