Protesters gather outside ICE field office in Miramar

Group blocks intersection as they call for ICE to be abolished

By Amanda Batchelor - Senior Digital Editor, Carlos Suarez - Anchor/Reporter
Posted: 11:13 AM, July 18, 2018 Updated: 12:33 PM, July 18, 2018

MIRAMAR, Fla. - A crowd of protesters gathered Wednesday outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office in Miramar.

The protest comes two days after seven protesters were arrested on trespassing charges after they held a protest outside ICE's detention facility on Powerline Road in Pompano Beach.



More arrests could happen Wednesday as protesters blocked the intersection at Southwest 29th Street and 145th Avenue.


Sky 10 was above the scene around noon as a couple of vehicles were forced to make U-turns at the intersection as protesters held hands throughout the roadway.

Miramar police are asking drivers to avoid 145th Avenue from Pembroke Road to Miramar Parkway at this time as they have closed all north and southbound lanes.

Sky 10 was above the ICE field office earlier in the morning as protesters gathered under tents that read "Abolish ICE" and "ICE Out Of Miramar."

Protesters told Local 10 News it was worth getting arrested Monday to protest the immigration policies of the Trump administration.

"The GEO Group, which is a for-profit prison corporation, works together with ICE to destroy black and brown lives every day. We have to put a stop to that. We have to take action," protester Christian Minaya said.

Two protesters locked themselves to a fence with a bike lock Monday, while others tied themselves to a car blocking the entrance of the facility.

The GEO Group released the following statement to Local 10 News:

"(The protesters') actions are misguided and based on a mischaracterization of our role as a long-standing service provider to the federal government, and totally ignore the fact that we have absolutely no role in setting immigration policy nor have we ever advocated for or against immigration enforcement or detention policies.

"Furthermore, the facilities we manage on behalf of the federal government have never housed unaccompanied minors. For over three decades, our company has managed ICE Processing Centers providing services for adults, and we have managed the Karnes Family Residential Center, which has cared exclusively for mothers together with their children since 2014 when it was established by the Obama Administration.

"On a daily basis, our dedicated employees deliver high quality services that comply with performance-based standards set by the federal government and adhere to guidelines set by leading third-party accreditation agencies.

Our more than 23,000 GEO employees around the world are proud of our record in managing facilities with high-quality services in safe, secure, and humane environments. Members of our team strive to treat all of those entrusted to our care with compassion, dignity, and respect."

https://www.local10.com/news/florida/miramar/protesters-gather-outside-ice-field-office-in-miramar