Palm Beach County Democrats Discuss ICE Detentions at Immigration Forum

U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel led a discussion on the impact of immigration enforcement on the county's diverse population and economy.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 6:15pm

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In a meeting organized by U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel, D-West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County elected officials, immigration advocates, and faith leaders discussed the effects of increased immigration enforcement and ICE detentions on the county's immigrant communities and businesses. They expressed concerns that the detentions are disrupting families and industries like farming, landscaping, and senior care, and are leading to labor shortages.

Why it matters

The discussion highlights the ongoing debate over immigration enforcement tactics and their impact on local communities. Palm Beach County, with its diverse population and reliance on immigrant labor, is grappling with the consequences of increased detentions and deportations under the Trump administration's policies.

The details

At the forum, officials and advocates shared stories of families living in fear, businesses being disrupted, and labor shortages in industries like construction and hospitality. They argued that the majority of those detained are not violent criminals, but rather immigrants without criminal records who work essential jobs. County Commissioner Joel Flores said the federal government has also threatened to cut $330 million in funding if the county doesn't comply with mandates like removing diversity initiatives.

  • The forum was held on January 30, 2026.
  • Last year, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a law deputizing all state police agencies to work with ICE under the 287(g) program.

The players

Lois Frankel

U.S. Representative for Florida's 21st congressional district, a Democrat representing West Palm Beach.

Joel Flores

Palm Beach County Commissioner representing a Hispanic-majority district in the Greenacres-Palm Springs area.

Renata Bozzeti

Deputy director for the Florida Immigrant Coalition.

Tim Keohane

Director of immigration legal services for Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Palm Beach.

Richard Dames

Senior pastor at Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church in Boynton Beach.

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What they’re saying

“Our families are being separated. Our businesses are being disrupted. It's people we depend on the nurses homes, the farmers who pick our food, the people who build our businesses. All these people are being taken away and disappearing without due process.”

— Lois Frankel, U.S. Representative

“Mom stays at home with the kids and one of them takes the risk of going to work because they don't know if Dad is coming home that night. That is the fear our communities are under right now.”

— Joel Flores, Palm Beach County Commissioner

“If you can't attend churches and feel safe; If you can't go to school and feel safe because of fear, where can one attend? That is the message we hear from our colleagues across Palm Beach County and it's devastating.”

— Richard Dames, Senior Pastor, Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church

What’s next

The forum did not produce a specific agenda for action, but officials pledged to continue working to address the impacts of increased immigration enforcement on their communities.

The takeaway

This discussion highlights the growing tensions over immigration policy in diverse communities like Palm Beach County, where increased ICE detentions are disrupting families, businesses, and institutions like churches, raising concerns about civil liberties and the economic impact on essential industries.