MIAMI-DADE COUNTY – Tensions flared at the Stephen P. Clark Center during a Miami-Dade County Commission meeting on Thursday, culminating in the forcible removal and arrest of a woman attempting to speak against a proposed agreement involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and county jails. The incident, captured on video, has drawn public attention, yet has been met with a conspicuous lack of direct comment from county leaders.
The Arrest Amidst Public Input
Camila Ramos, a 36-year-old real estate agent, was the individual taken into custody. According to available information and video footage of the event, Ms. Ramos was attempting to voice her opposition to the potential ICE agreement when plain-clothed sheriff’s deputies intervened. The footage reportedly shows a tense exchange preceding her removal from the meeting hall. As deputies escorted or carried her out, audible chants of “Let her go!” and “Let her speak!” could be heard from members of the public attending the session.
Following her removal from the commission chambers, Ms. Ramos was arrested. She was subsequently jailed overnight and faces felony charges stemming from the incident. The precise nature of these felony charges was not detailed in the summary of events.
The forceful intervention by law enforcement during a public forum where citizens are typically afforded the opportunity to address their elected representatives has become a focal point of discussion surrounding the commission’s proceedings on that day.
Debate Over the ICE Agreement and Procedure
The substance of the day’s debate centered on a proposed agreement that would presumably involve county jails in housing individuals for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Such agreements often involve local law enforcement resources being utilized in federal immigration matters, a topic that frequently generates significant public debate and protest across the country.
During the meeting, commissioners were engaged in a discussion about whether to defer a vote on the controversial ICE agreement. However, County Attorney Geri Bonzon-Keenan provided a critical procedural clarification. She stated that the agreement was, in fact, already in effect and, therefore, did not require a vote by the full county board.
This revelation that the agreement was operational without a commission vote added another layer of complexity and contention to the proceedings, particularly for those in attendance hoping to influence the outcome through public commentary.
Procedural Warnings and Retroactive Authority
Adding to the procedural intensity of the meeting, Commission Chairman Anthony Rodriguez issued a warning to public speakers. He cautioned that addressing the ICE agreement during that specific session would preclude them from speaking on the matter in the future. This procedural note came as citizens were present, many presumably intending to speak on the very subject of the ICE agreement.
Furthermore, Chairman Rodriguez successfully introduced a last-minute agenda item during the meeting. This item granted Mayor Daniella Levine Cava temporary retroactive authority to approve all necessary state and federal agreements. Crucially, this authority was made effective back to March and explicitly included the authority to approve the ICE deal in question. The introduction and passage of such a measure late in the session, particularly one granting retroactive power over significant agreements, represent a notable procedural development.
Lack of Official Response
In the aftermath of the arrest and the contentious meeting, the Miami Herald sought comment from the county’s elected officials. Inquiries were reportedly sent to the offices of all 13 commissioners and to Mayor Daniella Levine Cava regarding the incident involving Camila Ramos.
As of the latest update on the situation, specifically June 28, 2025, at 6:58 AM, no statements had been provided by the offices of any of the 13 county commissioners. This collective silence from the legislative body responsible for county governance has been widely noted.
Mayor Levine Cava did issue a message; however, this communication reportedly did not directly address the actions taken by police or sheriff’s deputies during the commission meeting, specifically regarding the arrest of Ms. Ramos.
Public and Former Official Criticism
The lack of immediate official commentary from the county’s leadership has not gone entirely without public criticism. Former Miami commissioner Ken Russell publicly voiced his concerns regarding the silence of elected officials on social media platforms. His comments highlight a segment of public opinion that expects transparency and accountability from their representatives, particularly concerning incidents involving the use of force during public governmental proceedings.
While the procedural status of the ICE agreement appears settled according to the County Attorney’s statement and the Mayor’s newly granted retroactive authority, the circumstances surrounding the removal and arrest of Camila Ramos have raised questions about public access, freedom of speech, and the response of county leaders in Miami-Dade. The incident remains a point of significant public interest amidst the broader context of immigration policy and local governance.
