At the February 21, 2018 board meeting of the Miramar City Commission, a commitment to advocate for the appropriate treatment of residents and guests visiting the United States Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) Service facilities in the City was made via Resolution. A lack of appropriate accommodations and complaints has driven the Commission’s attention to this matter. Beyond heightening sensitivity, it has placed a focus on improving the customer service experience relative to restroom facilities; shelter from elements; areas for waiting and sitting; preventative dehydration measures and additional parking.
Located at 2805 Southwest 145th Avenue, the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Services (“ICE”) Miramar office branch office began servicing the community in 2015. In the initial opening phase of the Facility, the programming and operational scope met the permitted use requirements; as approved by the City’s Land Development Code.
In 2016, there was a noticeable change in services being offered at the Facility, which significantly increased the volume of patrons visiting the site daily. In so much, that limited parking at the Facility has become insufficient to accommodating the increased volume of patrons. This occurrence has lent to daily issues related to parking, bathroom facilities, shelter from the elements and areas for sitting and waiting to accommodate the volume of patrons.
As a result, the City Commission Resolution was an active step to record the City of Miramar’s disappointment with ICE on these alleged accommodations; and advocates for positive change.
