A deal shrouded in secrecy?

Proposed immigration detention center in Broward:

A deal shrouded in secrecy?

Residents and Advocates Protest Southwest Ranches

Close to three months have passed since Southwest Ranches residents heard for the first time about a new immigration detention center being built in their town, which will be one of the largest in the country. To this date, they haven’t received any response from their elected officials and the issue hasn’t been in the Town Council meeting agenda since January. Tomorrow evening, residents will attend a new Town Council Meeting at Southwest Ranches; this time they are not coming just to speak, but to protest.

“Residents are outraged about the lack of transparency and open government in Southwest Ranches,” says Kathy Bird from the Florida Immigrant Coalition. “Their elected officials have used every possible tactic to discourage residents from asking about this issue, redirecting their complaints to ICE* and to Janet Napolitano, Secretary of Homeland Security, or saying this is a done deal.”

The Town Mayor and Council members have also refused to talk to residents about the detention center arguing to be under a “cone of silence”, charging large amounts for open records requests and ignoring them for weeks, ignoring petitions to create instances for public input on the issue, and finally suggesting residents should register as lobbyists to be able to talk to their elected officials.

“On a teleconference with ICE and local immigrant advocates this week, officials confirmed the contract between ICE and Southwest Ranches-CCA has not been signed yet. When asked about ICE holding public meetings, ICE officials also affirmed that it is usually the role of the local city or county,” adds Bird. “SWR Town Council and elected officials from other areas are doing everything they can to shut out their constituents and in the process their accountability is diminishing. Residents and voters will not forget. This is not a done deal and there should be space for public input.”

Residents from surrounding cities like Pembroke Pines and Weston will join the protest, as well as local immigration advocates who also oppose the building of a new detention center.

Information about the protest

When:             Thursday, October 13, 7:00 PM

Where:            Southwest Ranches Town Hall, 6591 SW 160th Ave (Dykes Rd), Southwest Ranches, FL

*ICE: Immigration and Customs Enforcement