Doral restaurant closed five months after opening amid ICE enforcement fears
Councilwoman Maureen Porras is pushing for a review of the city's 287(g) agreement after a local owner shut down his business and residents voiced concerns.
By Jillian Foster ·
Five months after opening, Eleazar Guevara closed his restaurant in Doral in October 2026. He attributes the decision to a sharp drop in customers following U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detentions in the area. Guevara says the fear surrounding immigration enforcement has hurt local businesses and families, prompting him to seek changes in city policy.
Councilwoman Maureen Porras has requested that the Doral City Council review the city's immigration enforcement agreement with ICE, known as a 287(g) program. The city approved this agreement in April 2025. Porras cites recent conversations with constituents and a shift in the community following the recent elections as reasons for the review. She states that residents and voters want to hear from their local leaders regarding the arrangement.
City Attorney Lorenzo Cobiella has indicated that Porras's request did not meet the submission deadline for an item requiring additional legal review. Because the proposal carries potential legal consequences, Cobiella said it required more time for submission. He warns that acting on the agreement could expose council members to penalties, including fines or removal from office for those who vote for the item. Cobiella maintains that his role is to explain legal requirements, not to block council action.
Porras disputes the city attorney's assessment of the deadline. She says her request was submitted within the proper timeframe and intends to seek the discussion at the council's meeting on November 18, 2026. If the item does not make that agenda, Porras plans to try again in December.
Guevara has taken his concern directly to city leaders, submitting a formal request for a review of the agreement a few weeks ago. He supports Porras's effort to bring the topic before the council. "It makes no sense to hold onto an agreement that is causing more fear than good," Guevara said in Spanish. He notes that people remain afraid to visit the area, which contributes to the difficulty small business owners face.
Fraga said the city sent a letter requesting guidance on its legal options regarding the agreement. This step follows the internal debate between Porras and Cobiella over procedural rules. The city's legal team continues to evaluate the implications of the 287(g) program as the council prepares for its upcoming session.
