Doral leaders held a golf tournament and a black-tie gala at the city’s Trump-branded hotel in October, even as residents say they are pulling back from public life out of fear of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to Miami New Times.
Mayor Christi Fraga and Police Chief Matthew Castillo co-hosted the three-day event, which raised money for after-school programs run by Parks and Police 4 Kids. The gala took place Oct. 16 at Trump National Hotel, and the city said it raised more than $400,000 for the foundation. Photos show officials, influencers and business leaders at a multi-course dinner in the Grand Ballroom.
Local activists criticized the timing. Project Pulso founder Liz Alarcón called the event “a slap in the face” while Venezuelan families in the city struggle after Venezuelans lost Temporary Protected Status last November. Doral has the highest concentration of Venezuelans in the United States, and the diaspora makes up 41% of the city’s population. The city was also one of the first to sign a 287(g) agreement, which lets local officers carry out certain federal immigration enforcement tasks, even though Florida law did not require it.
Fraga disputed the criticism in a statement issued through city spokesperson Kamila De Tullio. The city said the event was a public-private partnership that funds children’s programs without raising taxes. Sponsors included construction firms, hospitals, tech companies and Trump Doral itself. De Tullio said the resort was the only Doral venue large enough for more than 600 guests. The New Times asked how many guests attended but did not get an answer.
Local businesses have also felt the strain, according to activists and a state immigrant advocacy group, which said sales are down and some restaurants have closed. Doral’s Oktoberfest was canceled.
