Doral Mayor Christi Fraga Says She Signed ICE Agreement Under Pressure From DeSantis
<>
Doral Mayor Christi Fraga stated during a virtual interview with Gloria Ordaz that the city signed a 287(g) immigration collaboration agreement with U.S.
The municipal council approved the agreement under a task force model in January 2026. Doral is home to approximately 27,000 residents of Venezuelan origin out of a total population of roughly 76,490, making it a prominent hub for the Venezuelan diaspora outside of Venezuela.
Pressure From Tallahassee and State Legislation
Fraga pointed to a January 15, 2025, announcement by Governor DeSantis proposing mandatory participation in the federal 287(g) program for all local law enforcement agencies in Florida. According to the mayor’s interpretation of a state law passed in 2025, municipalities had no legal alternative. When asked directly by Gloria Ordaz if she acted under a threat from the governor, Fraga answered affirmatively, noting that warnings also originated from the office of the state attorney general.
Despite signing the agreement, Fraga maintained that the Doral Police Department has not participated in any immigration raids or sent officers for related training. “Our police has not collaborated with ICE in any raid,” Fraga declared, adding that local authorities do not share resident data with federal agencies. The mayor questioned why other municipalities that declined to sign similar agreements reportedly avoided the punitive consequences threatened by state leaders.
Local businesses and families have experienced tangible fallout since enforcement actions intensified. Arrests executed by federal immigration authorities within the city limits increased from three in December 2025 to 17 in July 2026. Commercial establishments report severe financial strain. Pipo Burgers documented a 70% reduction in sales, while a local karate academy lost roughly half of its student enrollment over a three-week period. Meanwhile, several families elected to keep children home in virtual classes out of fear.
Community Backlash and Unresolved Next Steps
Political leaders and community activists have mobilized against the agreement, staging public forums to demand its complete rescission and calling for the mayor’s resignation. During a recent public event, former U.S. Representative Joe García and South Miami Mayor Javier Fernández criticized the measure. “They could have chosen to have compassion and they chose to be cruel,” García stated during the gathering.
Fraga has not yet announced a definitive decision regarding whether she will attempt to cancel the agreement. She indicated that she recently dispatched a formal letter to the Florida attorney general requesting an official legal determination on the mandate and will withhold further action until receiving a response. The mayor also noted that she raised the plight of Venezuelan families with long-standing ties to the United States directly with President Donald Trump, emphasizing that many residents possess U.S.-citizen children and wish to remain.