Florida Groups Back Democratic Governor to End 287(g) Deals

Florida organizations are positioning a potential Democratic victory in the upcoming gubernatorial race as the primary mechanism to halt local police cooperation with federal immigration agents. The state is currently locked in a contest between Democrat David Jolly and Republican Byron Donalds, with Donalds holding the endorsement of President Donald Trump. Local law enforcement agencies in Florida have expanded their role in immigration enforcement through 287(g) agreements. Under these deals, local officers transfer migrants to Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection, increasing federal detention capacity.

María Bilbao, an activist with the American Friends Service Committee, stated that a Democratic governor would create an opportunity to push for the termination of these agreements. Her organization plans to continue organizing and demanding that the governor protect local communities. She described the prospect of a Democratic majority in the House of Representatives as a chance to investigate documented abuses and demand accountability from the administration and ICE. While she noted that a congressional shift alone does not guarantee policy change, she argued it would strengthen oversight and establish limits on agency actions.

Karla de Anda, a spokesperson for The Right to Freedom, said a Democratic House majority could use its powers to freeze funding and pressure the government to hold hearings. Her group focuses on labor rights for the immigrant community and seeks answers regarding deportations to third countries and deaths in custody. De Anda observed high engagement among Latino voters in Florida. She recounted a conversation with a Cuban-accented voter who expressed a desire to vote out the current administration. She believes a significant number of voters may punish the Trump administration's policies at the ballot box.

In Texas, the Latino vote is also poised to be a decisive factor in the Senate race. Polls suggest James Talarico, the 37-year-old Democratic candidate, could break decades of Republican control. If elected, he would return a Texas seat to the Senate for the first time since 1988. Héctor Sánchez Barba, president of the group Mi familia vota, noted that Latinos represent 30% of the state electorate. His organization intends to demand that Governor Abbott answer to the community. Sánchez Barba argued that a change in congressional leadership could bring necessary and urgent shifts, asserting that the Latino community, not the administration, defines what it means to be American.

Juan Proaño, director of LULAC, expressed moderate optimism that a House flip could check ICE. His organization tracks specific cases, including the death of Mexican national Lorenzo Salgado Araujo after being shot by ICE agents. Proaño called for urgent changes to immigration policy and described the upcoming vote as a potential turning point.