AFSC Florida, West Virginia and Atlanta staff with Tsuru for Solidarity during the first Seeds of Resistance Winter Academy
Miramar Circle of Protection
Throughout December, the Miramar Circle of Protection documented concerning and shifting enforcement patterns at the ICE processing center in Miramar. We observed greater unpredictability in check-in outcomes. While some individuals received appointments for one year out, others, particularly people with I-220B, were scheduled to return within four months or less, reflecting increased enforcement pressure. Shortened check-in intervals and more frequent weekend appointments added strain for families.
Families continued to face confusion, separation, and a lack of information during check-ins. Some people were held for extended periods, sometimes overnight, despite Miramar not being a detention center, and families often struggled to deliver essential medications for elderly relatives or loved ones transferred without warning to other facilities.
On December 17, International Migrants’ Day, the Miramar Circle of Protection hosted an interfaith vigil outside the ICE-ERO Center, bringing together faith leaders, impacted families, and community members to honor migrants’ dignity and denounce harmful immigration enforcement practices, including transfers to the Everglades detention site known as “Alligator Alcatraz” and the use of 287(g) agreements.
We also closed the year by gathering with volunteers and staff who, week after week, sustain the Miramar Circle of Protection, showing what is possible when people organize to care for one another and ensure dignity, respect, and humanity for all. We continue, together.
Support the Circle! If you’d like to support the Miramar Circle of Protection, you can donate here. Snacks, juices, and toys are always needed and deeply appreciated.
Photos: María Bilbao/AFSC
Florida policy
In December, we tracked new bills for the 2026 Legislative Session in Florida. Our legislative session started strong in January, but in December, our state representatives and senators already begin to file bills.
This year, we are supporting:
The Florida Prosperity Act, a bill that pushes forward a welcoming vision for Florida that includes the well-being of every Floridian. The Prosperity Act includes reinstating in-state tuition, increases public safety by expanding the list of documents accepted when qualified drivers apply for a Florida driver's license, expands Florida's work force by making sure that qualified workers, including those who are still navigating our very complex immigration system, can get occupational licenses in our state, and it guarantees access to education to children who are unhoused by ensuring that children can go to schools in their district, regardless of their immigration status or where they might be sheltered or relocated.
The Visible Act, a bill that ensures the safety of every Floridian by helping citizens identify legitimate immigration-enforcement officers (CBP, ICE, federal agents performing immigration operations, and deputized state/local officers) by requiring the display of clearly legible ID, with agency name/initials and name or badge number, visible and unobscured. It also pushes for prohibiting the use of non-medical face coverings that obscure identity, with exceptions for environmental hazards or covert/non-public-facing operations.
This year, we are opposing:
Student Ban Bill, which signals that Florida is willing to trade student opportunity for ideology. This bill would severely limit certain students who are still navigating our complex immigration system from enrolling in dual enrollment or our public colleges and universities.
The Unjust Liabilities Bill, which is being pushed forward by an immigrant lawmaker. This bill would "would fine law enforcement agencies for not partnering with ICE and allowing families whose loved ones were killed by a noncitizen to sue certain local governments." You can read more about it here.
Domestic Violence Based on Marriage Fraud, a bill that would redefine domestic violence to include marriage fraud. This is nothing more than another attempt to create more power imbalances in relationships.
Other bills we are opposing include attacks on being able to send remittances, a cap on foreign students, anti-Muslim bills pushed forward by hatred, and more.
If you want to get involved, send us a message!
What is happening with detentions in Florida
This article follows William (“Billy”) Botsch, our community organizer who spends many weekdays watching proceedings at the Miami immigration court. Over hundreds of hearings: ICE agents are increasingly waiting outside courtrooms to arrest people immediately after their court appearances, including individuals who showed up for scheduled hearings. Billy travels from Broward County to Miami four days a week, takes notes on cases, and shares information with families of those detained, as immigrants and advocates navigate an intensifying enforcement environment under the current federal policies.
Seeds of Resistance Youth Program
At the end of last year, youth from South Florida and West Virginia programs came together for a week long gathering focused on training youth leaders as healing circle facilitators and further develop narrative change skills. We had a total of 15 youth and 10 adult allies participate in facilitating the gathering, Youth acquired restorative healing circle facilitation skills and honing storytelling abilities will allow these youth to become stronger catalysts for peace in their communities and schools, which was facilitated by the Tsuru for Solidarity leaders.
This gathering was a key opportunity for youth to build relationships across geography and backgrounds, which is necessary for effective movement-building work in the southern United States. As our youth continue to work together for change at both statewide and federal levels, this training has better equipped them to step into positions of organizing leadership.
Two of the youth who participated took the initiatives by facilitating both trauma recognition and healthy response workshops that allowed for peers to further learn how to effectively respond to trauma and social emotional crisis in their communities.
Stay tuned for our invite for our Summer Academy 2026!! 😎 ☀️ 🏖
Learn more about AFSC Florida and sign up for updates.