Policy update: 8/27/25
Sasha@iaje.us
Everglades Detention Center Closure:
U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams issued the preliminary injunction on August 21, 2025, after a lawsuit was filed by environmental groups and the Miccosukee Tribe.
The State of Florida has already filed an appeal challenging the court’s decision.
Additional context: AP News Coverage
287(g) Program Updates:
A hearing was held on Thursday regarding compliance with the federal 287(g) immigration enforcement program.
Under Florida law, municipalities that control a jail are required to sign a 287(g) agreement. However, cities without control over a jail are not legally required to sign such agreements. Despite this, municipalities that have not signed a 287(g) agreement are receiving threatening letters urging compliance.
The City of South Miami has filed a request in court for clarification on whether it is statutorily required to sign an agreement. The State Attorney has affirmed that cities not managing a jail are not obligated to participate in the 287(g) program.
TPS for Haitians – Congressional Amicus Brief
Representative Cherfilus-McCormick and Senator Markey plan to file an amicus brief in support of preserving Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians.
The brief will argue that:
Congress has a clear interest in maintaining TPS protections.
Terminating TPS for Haitians would have a harmful impact on the U.S. economy.
Sign-on deadline: 6:00 PM, August 28, 2025
Mississippi Updates
Infant Mortality Public Health Emergency
The Mississippi Department of Health has declared a public health emergency due to a sharp rise in infant mortality rates.
2024 infant mortality rate: 9.7 deaths per 1,000 births – the highest in over a decade.
Mississippi's rate is over 60% higher than the national average.
Since 2014, more than 3,500 infants have died before their first birthday in the state.
March of Dimes CEO Cindy Rahman called the crisis a “wake-up call to the nation”, urging urgent attention to maternal and infant health.
Maternal Health Conference 2025
Date: Friday, September 12, 2025
A statewide event to convene health professionals around maternal and infant health issues in Mississippi.
Free attendance and CEUs offered.
Mississippi Economic Development: Third Data Center Project
AVAIO Digital has announced a $6 billion data center campus in Rankin County, Mississippi.
Resources:
