Residents and advocacy groups urge Pinellas commissioners to end 287(g) cooperation with ICE

Antoinette Burnham, speaking for the Pinellas Coalition for Human Rights, asked the commission to end all local law‑enforcement cooperation with ICE and to rescind 287(g) agreements that she said harm immigrant communities. "The Pinellas Coalition for Human Rights and to end all cooperation of local law enforcement with ICE DHS," Burnham said during the Citizens to Be Heard portion.

Several other residents echoed that call and detailed alleged harms. Courtney Prokopas, who referenced reporting by ProPublica, urged the board to direct the Public Safety Coordinating Council to perform a formal review of the county jail’s detention records and to require a sworn accounting of any instances where detainees were held longer than the 72‑hour period described in the agreements. "When federal civil rights lawsuits land, it is the county taxpayers," Prokopas warned, saying prolonged administrative rebookings create legal exposures.

Donald Hudson described what he said were repeated rebookings and extended detentions, and asked the board to press the sheriff for an explanation: "So what I'm asking you to do is talk to the sheriff about this." Other speakers, including faith leaders and legal advocates, called for inspections of detention facilities and for county oversight to protect due‑process rights.

Commissioners did not take immediate formal action to terminate any agreements during the meeting. Several commissioners asked staff to gather records and for the sheriff to appear at an upcoming workshop so the board can hear directly about jail practices and the sheriff's enforcement tools. The county will also take up a follow‑up on the Public Safety Coordinating Council as requested by speakers.