Under Governor Ron DeSantis, Florida has become a hotbed for immigration enforcement. Local police in cities and counties, as well as Florida Highway Patrol, have been authorized to carry out ICE-adjacent duties like detaining people suspected of breaking federal immigration laws.

In a state where a quarter of residents are immigrants, many residents are “living in the shadows,” says Yareliz Mendez-Zamora, a social justice advocate with the American Friends Service Committee. And amid the “insanity,” Miami intends to put out the welcome mat for thousands of international visitors.

Miami is a gateway to Latin America, a crucial airport hub for many who’ll be coming in for the tournament; Hard Rock Stadium will host seven matches, including a quarter-final and the 3rd/4th playoff. And all 60 miles from the feared detention center known as Alligator Alcatraz, which has been allowed to remain open via an appeals court decision.

Many fear ICE will have a presence at the tournament, as the federal government announced agents would be “all over” the Super Bowl in February after Bad Bunny was revealed as the halftime artist. Mendez-Zamora has been working to try and convince FIFA and the Miami committee that would be a bad idea. She joins Talib to discuss the campaign and the stakes involved.

Correction: The episode mentions that Miami is the biggest city in Florida. That’s incorrect; it’s the second-biggest, after Jacksonville.

00:00 Florida's Political Shift and DeSantis' Policies

02:19 Miami: A Hub for Immigration Issues

03:04 Yareliz Mendez-Zamora joins

06:27 Challenges Faced by Immigrants in Florida

15:21 The 287(g) Program and Its Impact

21:39 Future of Immigration Policies and FIFA's Role

23:39 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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