Florida Democrats Push State Laws to Limit ICE Operations

Florida Democratic lawmakers are joining a national push to limit federal immigration enforcement within state borders as President Donald Trump’s administration launches an expanded deportation campaign following a controversial shooting in Minneapolis.

The effort gained urgency after Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents fatally shot Renee Good during a raid in Minneapolis last week, sparking outrage among immigrant advocacy groups and Democratic officials nationwide.

State Rep. Anna Eskamani, who represents parts of Orange County, said Florida legislators are exploring multiple approaches to restrict ICE operations, including limiting state cooperation with federal immigration authorities and requiring warrants for certain enforcement actions.

“We’re looking at every tool available to protect our communities,” Eskamani said. “State governments have a responsibility to ensure public safety, and that includes making sure people feel safe reporting crimes and accessing services.”

The proposed measures would join similar efforts in states including California, New York and Illinois, where Democratic-controlled legislatures have enacted varying degrees of immigration sanctuary policies over the past decade.

In Florida, any such legislation faces steep odds in a Republican-controlled Legislature that has consistently supported stricter immigration enforcement. Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation in 2019 requiring local governments to comply with federal immigration detainer requests.

The Minneapolis shooting occurred as Trump administration officials announced plans to dramatically expand ICE operations nationwide, including in so-called sanctuary jurisdictions that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

South Florida, home to large immigrant communities from Haiti, Venezuela and other countries, has seen heightened anxiety following Trump’s inauguration promises. [Immigration cases](After 30 Years in Miami, Haitian Man Deported to a Country He Barely Knows) have already affected longtime residents with deep community ties.

Miami-Dade County eliminated its sanctuary policies in 2017 after Trump threatened to withhold federal funding. Broward County maintains more limited cooperation with ICE, honoring detainer requests only for individuals convicted of serious felonies.

Republican legislative leaders dismissed the Democratic proposals as political theater that would undermine public safety.

“Florida will continue to support the rule of law and work with federal authorities to remove dangerous criminals from our communities,” said House Speaker Daniel Perez, who represents Miami-Dade County.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida said it supports legislative efforts to limit state participation in federal immigration enforcement, arguing such policies encourage immigrant crime victims and witnesses to cooperate with police.

“When people are afraid to call 911 or report crimes, everyone is less safe,” said ACLU of Florida Executive Director Micah Kubic.

Immigrant advocacy groups across South Florida have stepped up know-your-rights training sessions and legal clinics since Trump took office. The Florida Immigrant Coalition said it has fielded hundreds of calls from families seeking information about their rights during potential ICE encounters.

Federal immigration authorities declined to comment on specific state legislative proposals but said ICE operations target individuals who pose public safety threats or have outstanding deportation orders.

The Minneapolis shooting has intensified scrutiny of ICE tactics and use of force policies. Good, who was not the target of the raid, was killed when agents entered her apartment building while pursuing another individual.

Democratic lawmakers in at least a dozen states are now considering legislation that would impose new restrictions on federal immigration enforcement, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Proposed measures range from requiring judicial warrants before ICE can access state databases to prohibiting immigration enforcement at sensitive locations like schools and hospitals.

In Florida, Democratic legislators face a February 25 deadline to file bills for the 2025 session, which begins March 4. Party leaders said they plan to introduce immigration-related proposals despite the long odds of passage.

“Even if these bills don’t become law, we have an obligation to advocate for our constituents and put these issues on the record,” said Sen. Shevrin Jones, who represents parts of Broward and Miami-Dade counties.

The debate reflects broader tensions between state and federal authority over immigration policy, legal experts said. While immigration enforcement remains primarily a federal responsibility, states retain significant discretion over how much they cooperate with federal agencies.

Trump administration officials have indicated they may seek to pressure non-cooperative states through federal funding restrictions or other enforcement mechanisms, setting up potential court battles over the limits of federal authority.

For South Florida’s immigrant communities, the legislative proposals offer limited immediate protection but represent important symbolic support, advocates said.

“People need to know their local representatives are fighting for them,” said Thomas Kennedy, political director of the Florida Immigrant Coalition. “That matters even when the votes aren’t there yet.”