Weekly rallies in Miramar support migrants and push for better conditions
Local organizers continue their weekly support for migrant families at the ICE ERO facility in Miramar, and advocates say they plan to keep showing up every week and pushing for improvements to conditions outside the facility.
In response to ongoing federal immigration enforcement efforts, the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), a quaker organization, shows up every Wednesday to hand out snacks and water bottles to people with appointments who are waiting in line outdoors.
The gathering is called the Miramar Circle of Protection, and they have advocated for shade structures outside the building.
On this day, faith-based groups including Discerning Deacons, the Pedro Arrupe Jesuit Institute and more gathered with them to pray for immigrants in federal detention.
The prayer circle is part of a national Catholic movement that calls attention to the “migrant crisis,” according to WSVN.
Oliver Larkin, a candidate for Congress running to represent District 23, which covers parts of Fort Lauderdale, Coral Springs and Pompano Beach, attended the Oct. 22 gathering and spoke to the Miramar News about his experience.
“There’s a whole constellation of groups and faith leaders that are doing really important work and it was emotional to be out there but I’m glad that we made it,” he said.
“What AFSC and their allies are doing, it really is just donating supplies and making, to whatever degree is possible, the people who are waiting there experience some degree of comfort and solidarity,” he said.
Individuals in the Greater Miami area who have a case with ICE have their cases processed at this facility. If individuals who have appointments with this office are detained, they are sent from the ERO building to a detention center such as the Krome Processing Center, which is the largest in the state and has had at least three deaths this year, WLRN reported in late August.
AFSC member Jacob Flowers wrote in June on the organization’s website: “Our team also documents what’s happening at the facility. That includes recording the license plates of abandoned cars left by individuals who came for routine appointments but were ultimately detained. Our team has seen an increase in these cases in recent months.”
Gatherers want to draw attention to the Miramar ERO facility because it is the jumping off point where families may be separated.
Larkin said protesters against the immigration crackdown from President Donald Trump’s administration are also concerned about the Everglades detention facility known as Alligator Alcatraz, which remains open during the government shutdown despite orders for its closure.
“They come to the United States to find work, to feed their families, to protect the ones they love. There is room for everyone here,” Flowers wrote.
This story was originally published October 27, 2025 at 12:24 PM.
