Resolution 2025-33830 202533830
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, STRONGLY OPPOSING DEHUMANI2ING
AND VIOLENT RHETORIC TARGETING IMMIGRANTS, INCLUDING THE
"ALLIGATOR ALCATRAZ" DETENTION FACILITY AND STATEMENTS BY
NATIONAL LEADERS; AFFIRMING THE DIGNITY AND CONTRIBUTIONS
OF HISPANIC AND IMMIGRANT FAMILIES IN MIAMI BEACH; AND
REJECTING LANGUAGE AND PRACTICES THAT PROMOTE HUNTING
DOWN, CAGING, WRONGFUL DETENTION, OR CELEBRATING HARM
AGAINST IMMIGRANTS, INCLUDING THE USE OF DEADLY WILDLIFE '
SUCH AS ALLIGATORS IN THE EVERGLADES.
WHEREAS, the City of Miami Beach is a diverse, inclusive community built and
strengthened by generations of immigrants and their families, whose labor, businesses, and
culture contribute immeasurably to our economy, resilience, and unique identity; and
WHEREAS, Miami Beach was among the first cities in Florida to pass legal protections
for LGBTQ+ residents and visitors, to condemn antisemitism and racism, and to formally
recognize and celebrate Juneteenth, Pride Month, and Hispanic Heritage Month, reinforcing its
identity as a diverse and inclusive community; and
WHEREAS, this legacy now calls us to speak out clearly and unequivocally against the
growing use of violent and dehumanizing rhetoricdirected at immigrants—rhetoric that threatens
the safety, dignity, and wellbeing of thousands of families who call Miami Beach home; and
WHEREAS, our immigrant residents— many of whom are Hispanic, but also from Haiti,
the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, and across the globe — are not criminals to be hunted or caged,
but rather workers, caregivers, business owners, artists, and essential members of our economy,
our neighborhoods, and our shared civic life; and
WHEREAS, in recent months, national political figures have used rhetoric that
dehumanizes immigrants and promotes violence, cruelty, and wrongful detention including:
• On July 1, 2025, President Donald Trump toured a newly established migrant detention
facility in the Florida Everglades—colloquially known as "Alligator Alcatraz"—and made
remarks referring to detainees as "some of the most vicious people on the planet," further
characterizing the ernironment and local Everglades wildlife such as alligators as
appropriate deterrents to migretion ([AP, NYT, July 1-2, 2025]); and
• On June 15, 2025, President Trump posted on Truth Social that "ICE and local police
must"hunt them down wherever they are hiding —every resource must be used to root
them out and REMOVE them," pledging to use the National Guard and even active-duty
military to carry out the largest mass deportation program in U.S. history ([Reuters, June
15, 2025]); and
• Senior officials in President Trump's current administration have described immigrants as
an "invasion" and have invoked wartime authority to justify mass detentions and
deportations (see Presidential Executive Order 14159, 'Protecting the American People
Against Invasion"); and
• Administration policies have been accompanied by rhetoric portraying immigrants as
criminals, threats to national security, and contributors to the "poisoning of the blood" of
the nation—echoing historically dangerous language used tojustify exclusion and violence
([New York Times, March 18, 2024]): and
WHEREAS, these remarks and the policies they justify have tangible consequences —
especially in South Florida, where several recent cases illustrate the real-life consequences of
violent rhetoric, harsh enforcement actions, and mistaken identity for law-abiding immigrents:
• In May 2025, Peter Sean Brown, a U.S. citizen,was wrongfully detained in Monroe County
at ICE's request despite valid proof of citizenship—a federal court ruled his constitutional
rights were violated ([ACLU Florida, WLRN, May 2025]);
• In April 2025,Juan Carlos Lopez-Gomez, a U.S:bom South Florida resident, was stopped
and jailed under an immigration hold despite valid ID, then detained by ICE before release
([WCTV, April 2025]);
• In April 2025, Josue Aguilar Valle, a Honduran immigrant married to a U.S. citizen with an
approved petition and a Miami Beach High School Class of 2018 alumnus, was arrested
by ICE agents inside the USCIS Kendall office despite no criminal history ([WLRN, April
2025]);
On June 26, 2025, Isidro Perez, a 75-year-old lawful Cuban resident, died in Krome
Detention Center following medical neglect ([WPBF, June 2025]);
WHEREAS, such cases also demonstrate how eztreme rhetoric and harsh, broad
enforcement approaches can lead to profling, wrongful detention, family separations, and tragic
loss of life —threatening the families who help power Miami Beach's economy, neighborhoods,
and vibrant community life; and
WHEREAS, the senior offcials in President Trump's current administration, including the
Secretary of Homeland Security and Press Secretary, speaking about "Alligator Alcatraz," have
described the individuals at the facility as "._illegal murderers and rapists and heinous
criminals...", and have said that facilities such as"Alligator Alcatraz" "and otherfacilities like it will
give us the capability to lock up some of the worst scumbags who enter our country..."([CNN, July
�, 2025]); and
WHEREAS, according to the Deportation Data Project, out of least 56,000 individuals held
in ICE detention nationwide as of midJune 2025—nearly half(approzimately 30,000 people)lack
any criminal convictions ([NPR, July 2025]); and
WHEREAS, in parallel, the federal government has initiated efforts that may threa[en the
legal standing of naturalized U.S. citizens, with the Department of Justice announcing expanded
resources to pursue denaturalization cases against citizens accused of errors during the
naturalization process, leaving many in our community uncertain and afraid ([Miami Herald, July
2025]); and
WHEREAS, families of detainees being held at the Everglades facility have relayed
firsthand to the Miami Herald and other outlets reports of days without showers, lack of clean
water, spoiled food infested with maggots, mosquito and bug swarms, eztreme temperature
swings, and unsanitary toilets in the facility's temporary tent structures; and
WHEREAS, Miami Beach stands in firm opposition to words and actions that treat all
migrants as dangerous criminals and rejects inhumane detention conditions — induding reports
from the Everglades facility; and
WHEREAS, in a July 3, 2025 statement posted to the Archdiocese of Miami website,
Archbishop Thomas Wenski condemned the facility as "alarming" and "unbecoming of public
offcials," called enforcement tactics that treat all irregular migrants as dangerous criminals
"intentionally provocative," and wamed such rhetoric is "corrosive of the common good"; and
WHEREAS, the vagueness, breadth, and lack of transparency of these initiatives are
causing significant anxiety among the South Florida community, where immigrent families,
induding naturalized citizens, form a vital part of the social fabric, and where many now fear that
unclear standards could subjeci them or their loved ones to arbitrary investigations or Ioss of
rights, despite years of lawful presence and contribution; and
WHEREAS, the values of the Miami Beach community compel us to oppose hate in all its
forms — and to stand firmly with immigrant families who, like generations before them, come to
our City not to harm, but to build, serve, and contribute.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the Mayor and City
Commission hereby strongly oppose dehumanizing and violent rhetoric targeting immigrants,
including the "Alligator Alcatrai' detention facility and statements by national leaders; affirm the
dignity and contributions of Hispanic and immigrant families in Miami Beach; and reject language
and practices that promote hunting down, caging, wrongful detention, or celebrating harm against
immigrants, including the use of deadly wildlife such as alligators in the Everglades.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 23 day of .�u� 2025„
ATTEST: � ���_
� �UL ? 5 �Q�j Steven Meiner, Mayor
Rafael . Granado, City Clerk
-M('a��....
�P,.._ o„
(sponsored by Commissioner Alex J. Fernandez) ;`�:�'� �'�
� `: '[
SponsoredbyCommissionerTanyaK. Bhait � `iwtoar o�ei[o: ;
,,� N .
,,,4�CH 26:��i
qPPROVED AS TO
FORM BLANGUAGE �
8 FOR EXECU710N - � �
� � 1�a)zozS
� �
Resolutions -C7 Y
MIAMIBEACH
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Ci�y Attomey Ricardo J. Dopico
DATE: July 23, 2025
TITLE: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, STRONGLY OPPOSING DEHUMANIZING AND
VIOLENT RHETORIC TARGETING IMMIGRANTS, INCLUDING THE "ALLIGATOR
ALCATRAZ" DETENTION FAqLITY AND STATEMENTS BY NATIONAL
LEADERS; AFFIRMING THE DIGNITY AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF HISPANIC AND
IMMIGRANT FAMILIES IN MIAMI BEACH; AND REJECTING LANGUAGE AND
PRACTICES THAT PROMOTE HUNTING DOWN, CAGING, WRONGFUL
DETENTION, OR CELEBRATING HARM AGAINST IMMIGRANTS, INCLUDING
THE USE OF DEADLY WILDLIFE SUCH AS ALLIGATORS IN THE EVERGLADES.
RECOMMENDATION
BACKGROUNDIHISTORY
ANAIYSIS
The attached Resolution was prepared at the request of lhe sponsor, Commissioner Alex
Fernandez.
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
NIA
Does this Ordinance require a Business Imoact Estimate?
(FOR ORDINANCES ONLY)
If applicable, the Business Impact Estimate (BIE) was published on:
See BIE at: https�/lwww miamibeachfl aovlcitv-halllcitv-clerklmeetina-notices/
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
CONCLUSION
Apolieable Area
883 of 1791
Citywide
Is this a "Residents Riaht to Know" item, Is this item related to a G.O. Bond
pursuant to CiN Code Section 2-17? Proiect?
No No
Was this Aaenda Ilem initialiv reauested bv a lobbvist which as defined in Code Sec. 2-481.
includes a princioal enaaaed in lobbvina� No
If so, specify the name of lobbyist(s) and principal(s):
Deaartment
City Attomey
Soonsorfsl
Commissioner Alez Fernandez
Co-snonsorfsl
Condensed Title
Oppose Anti-Immigrant Rhetoria (Fernandez) CA
Previous Action (for CiN Clerk Use Onlv)
884 of 1791
Agenda Item G�Y
M I AM I B EAC H Date 9�Z3-2S
OFFICE OF iHE CITY QERK
LTC #301-2025 LETTER TO COMMISSION
ro�. Honorable Mayor Steven Meiner and Membgrs of the City Commission
Feonn: Rafael E. Granado, City Clerk �v�/
4
�nre. July 18, 2025
sue.ecr: Hisoanie Aflairs Committee Motion
The purpose of�his Letter lo Commission(LTC)is lo inform the Mayor and City Commission o(Ihe
following Molion passetl by the Hispanic Affairs Commitlee at their July 17, 2025 meeting:
. Members present Carmen Datorre, Elba Machado, Julian Linares, Gustavo Briand antl
Natasha Fernandez
. Members absent: Rosary Plana Falero and Chrystianne Lendeborg
• City Liaison: Leonor Hemandez
MOTION:
The Hispanic Affairs Committee supports attached ResoWtion C7 Y of the July 23, 2025 City of
Miami Beach Commission Agenda that slrongly opposes dehumanizing and violent rhetoric
targeting immigrants, including the "Alligator Alratraz"detention facility and statements by national
leaders; aKirm the dignity and contributions of Hispanic and immigrant families in Miami Beach;
and reject language and practices that pmmole hunting down, caging, wrongful detention,
celebreting harm against immigranls, including the use of deadly wildlife such as alligators in the
Everglades.
The Commillee urges that it is imperative that this be a unanimous vote o(the City of Miami 8each
Mayor and Commissioners.
Motion made by Julian Linares
Molion seconded by Carmen Datorre
Motion unanimously approved by all members present.
REG:Ih
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITV COMMISSION OF THE CITV
OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, STRONGLY OPPOSING DEHUMANIZING
AND VIOLENT RHETORIC TARGETING IMMIGRANTS, INCLU�ING THE
"ALLIGATOR ALCATRAZ" DETENTION FACILITV AND STATEMENTS BY
NATIONAL �EADERS; AFFIRMING THE DIGNITY AND CONTRIBUTIONS
OF HISPANIC AND IMMIGRANT FAMILIES IN MIAMI BEACH; AND
REJECTING LANGUAGE AND PRACTICES THAT PROMOTE HUNTING
DOWN, CAGING, WRONGFUL OETENTION, OR CELEBRATING HARM
AGAINST IMMIGRANTS, INCLUDING THE USE OF DEADLY WILDLIFE
SUCH AS ALLIGATORS IN THE EVERGLADES.
WHEREAS, the City of Miami Beach is a diverse, inclusive cammunity buill and
shengthened by generations of immigrants and their families, whose labor, businesses, and
cWture contribute immeasurably to our economy, resilience, and unique identily; and
WHEREA3, Miami Beach was among lhe first cities in Flontla to pass legal pmtectians
for LGBT�+ residen[s and visi[ors, to condemn antisemitism and racism, and to formally
recognize and cetebrete Juneteenth, Pride Month, and Hispanic Heritage Month, reinforcing its
identity as a diverse and inclusive community; and
WHEREAS, this legacy now ralls us to speak out cleady and unequivocally against the
growing use of violent and dehumanizing rhetoric directed a[immigran[s—rhetoric that threatens
the safary, dignity, and wellbeing of thousands of families who call Miami Beach home; and
WHEREAS, our immiqrant residents—many of whom are Hispanic, but also from Haiti,
the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, and across the globe —are no[ criminals to be hunted or caged,
but rather workers, caregivers, business owners,attists, and essential mem6ers of our economy,
our neighborhoods, and our sharetl civic life; and
WHEREAS, in recent months, national political fgures have used rhetoric that
dehumanizes immigrants and promoles violence, cruelty, antl wrongful deteotion including:
• On July 1, 2025, President �onald Trump toured a newiy established migrant detention
(acility in the Fiorida Everglades—colloquially known as"Alligalor Alcatrai'—and made
remarks reFerring to detainees as"some of the most vicious people on Ihe planet,"Wrlher
charactenzing the environment and local Everglades wildlife such as alligators as
appropria[e deterrents to migration ([AP, NYT, July 1-2, 2025]); and
• On June 15, 2025, President Tmmp posted on Truth Social that "ICE and locel police
must"hunt them down wherever lhey are hiding—every resource must be used to root
them out antl REMOVE them," pledging to use the National Guartl antl even active-duty
military to carry out the largest mass deportation program in U.S. history([Reuters, June
15, 2025]); and
• Senior officials in Presitlen[Tmmp's current adminis[re[ion have described immigrants as
an "invasion" and have invoked wartime authorify to justify mass detentions antl
tleportations (see Presitlential Execu[ive Order 14159, 'Protecting [he American People
Against Invasion"); and
• Administretion policies have been accompanied by rhetoric portraying immigrants as
criminals, threats to national secunty, and contributors to the"poisoning of the bloo8' of
the nation—echoing historically dangerous language usetl to justify exclusion and violence
([New York Times, March 18, 2024]): and
WHEREAS, these remarks and the policias they justify have tangible consequences —
especially in South Fbrida, where several recent cases illustrate the reel-life consequences of
violent rhetoric, harsh enforcement actions, antl mistaken identiry for law-abiding immigrants:
• In May 2025, Peter Sean Brown, a U.S. citizen,was wmngfully detained in Monroe County
at ICE's reques�despite valid proof of citizenship—a federal court�uled his cons�itutional
rights were violated ([ACW Florida, WLRN, May 2025]);
• In April 2025,Juan Carlos Lbpez-Gomez,a U.S.-bom South Florida resident,was stopped
and jailed under an immigretion hold despite valid ID,then detained by ICE before release
([WCTV, April 2025])�,
• In April 2025, JosuA Aguilar Valle, a Honduran immigrant married to a U.S.citizen with an
approved petition antl a Miami Beach High School Cless of 2018 alumnus, was arrested
by ICE agents inside [he USCIS Kendall office despite no criminal history (�VVLRN, April
2025]);
On June 26, 2025, Isidro Perez, a 75-year-old IawIW Cuban resident, died in Krome
Detention Center following medical neglecl([WPBF, June 2025]);
WHEREAS, such cases also demonsirete how extreme rhetoric and harsh, broad
enforcement approaches can lead to profiling, wrongful de[ention, family separetions, and Iregic
loss of life—threa[ening ihe families who help power Miami Beach's economy, neighborhoods,
and vibrant communiry life; and
WHEREAS, the senior officials in President Trump's arrent administration, including the
Secretary of Homelantl Security and Press Secretary, speaking about"Alliga[or AlcaUaz," have
described the individuals at the facility as "_.illegal murderers and rapists and heinous
criminals...", and have said Ihat facilities such as"Alligator Alcatrai"'and other facilities like it will
give us the capability to lock up some of the worst scumbags who enter our country..."([CNN,JWy
1, 2025]); and
WHEREAS,according to ihe Deportation Data Projecl, out of least 56,000 individuals held
in ICE detention nationwide as of mid-June 2025—nearly half(approximately 30,000 people)lack
any criminal convictions QNPR, July 2025]); and
WHEREAS, in parallel, the fetleral government has initiatetl efforts that may[hreafen lhe
legal standing of naNrelized U.S. citizens, with the Department of Justice announcing expantled
resources to pursue denaWralization cases against citizens accused of errors during the
naWralization process, leaving many in our community uncedain and afraid ([Miami Hereld, July
2025�); and
WHEREAS, families of detainees being held at the Everglades faciliry have relayed
frethand to the Miami Herald and other outlets reports of days without showers, lack of clean
water, spoiletl footl infested with maggots, mosquito and bug swarms, extreme �emperature
swin9s, and unsanitary toilets in the facility's temporary lent struc[uresl and
i�
�
WHEREAS, Miami Beach stands in frm opposition to words and actions that treat all
migrants as dangerous criminals and rejects inhumane detention conditions—including reports
fmm the Everglades facility; and
WHEREAS, in a July 3, 2025 sfatement pos[ed to the Archdiocese of Miami website,
Archbishop Thomas Wenski condemnad the facility as "alarming" and "unbecoming of public
oHicials," called entorcement tactics Ihat treat all irregular migrants as dangerous criminals
"intentionally provocative," and wametl such rhetoric is"cortosive of ihe common good°; antl
WHEREAS, the vagueness, breadth, and lack of t2nsparency of ihese initiatives are
causing significant anxiety among the South Florida community, where immigrant (amilies,
including naWralized citizens, form a vitel part of Ihe social fabric, and where many now fear that
unclear standards could subject them or Iheir loved ones lo arbitrary investigations or loss of
rights, despite years of lawfui presence and contribution; and
WHEREAS,the values of ihe Miami Beach community compel us fo oppose hate in all ils
forms—and to stand firmly with immigrant families who, like genere[ions before [hem, come to
our City not to hartn, but to builtl, serve, and coniribute.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITV OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, Iha[ the Mayor and Ciry
Commission hereby strongiy oppose dehumanizing and violent rhetoric largeting immigrants,
including the "Alligator Alcatrai' deteniion faciliry and statements by national leaders; affirm the
dignity and con�ributions of Hispanic and immigrant families in Miami Beach; and reject language
antl proctices that promote hunting down,caging,wrongful tletention, or celebra�ing hartn against
immigrants, including the use of deadiy wildlife such as alligators in the Everglades.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this_day of , 2025.
ATTEST:
Steven Meiner, Mayor
Rafael E. Granado, City Clerk
(sponsored by Commissioner Alex J. Fernandez)
APPROVE�AS TO
FOPM 3LANGUAGE
&FOftE%ECUTION �
��)
--r I 1Fi 1 zoZ�
aa��v �°