ST. PETERSBURG., Fla. — Efforts to end cooperation between local law enforcement and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the Tampa Bay area are gaining renewed momentum following a deadly shooting involving federal agents in Minnesota.
WATCH: St. Pete pushes to end ICE cooperation after Minnesota shooting; Sarasota protests ICE in schools
On Sunday, dozens of people gathered at the Obama Main Library in St. Petersburg for a meeting organized by the Tampa Bay Immigrant Solidarity Network. The group is calling for an end to the region’s 287(g) agreement, which authorizes local law enforcement agencies to work directly with ICE on immigration enforcement.
Although the meeting had been planned in advance, organizers said the recent killing of Alex Pretti has intensified community concern and urgency.
"The police department that is meant to protect you has signed an agreement without your consent to cooperate with ICE, and we want to end that," said Lamark Stillings, a member of the Tampa Bay Immigrant Solidarity Network.
Community Fear and Opposition to Federal Enforcement
Dozens gathered to hear from organizers and community members about how they can get involved. Participants at the meeting voiced opposition to President Donald Trump’s deportation agenda, pointing to the fatal shootings of Pretti and Renee Good as examples of what they describe as dangerous enforcement tactics.
"You look across the country and obviously we're in Florida, which is a very immigrant, you know, rich state," Stillings said. "It's not, it doesn't take too much reasoning to think. That Donald Trump might be focusing his attention to the state later. Ron DeSantis already is doing an operation over in Central Florida, the Orlando area to kind of sweep up immigrants. So we obviously want to protect the community here, and there is that fear, that paranoia about potentialICE incursions here."
After the meeting, participants went door-to-door in nearby neighborhoods, urging residents to sign petitions and join the movement.
Sarasota School Board Vote Sparks Protest
Meanwhile, similar tensions are playing out in Sarasota County. Earlier this week, the Sarasota County School Board passed a resolution requiring schools to cooperate with ICE, prompting backlash from community members.
Some protesters are now calling for the removal of School Board Chair Bridget Ziegler, who introduced the resolution.
“This August, Sarasota will vote you out,” one demonstrator shouted during a rally.
Others framed the issue as part of a broader civil rights struggle.
“One thing has become abundantly clear under this Trump administration,” another protester said. “We don’t just need a civil rights movement — we need a civil rights revolution.”
State Leaders Defend ICE Cooperation
At the state level, Governor Ron DeSantis recently highlighted Florida’s cooperation with federal immigration enforcement during his State of the State address.
“Florida is the only state in the country that requires state and local cooperation with federal interior enforcement efforts,” DeSantis said. “In the past nine months alone, Florida is responsible for the apprehension of nearly 20,000 illegal aliens turned over to the Department of Homeland Security. Our people are safer because of these efforts.”
His remarks were met with a standing ovation in the chamber.
Federal officials, including Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, have also defended the actions of the ICE agent involved in the Minnesota shooting.
What’s Next
Advocates in the Tampa Bay area said they plan to continue organizing and are preparing for additional protests later this week, as debates over immigration enforcement and local cooperation remain heated across the region.
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