Udonis Haslem, a power forward for the Miami Heat who bought a $3.2 million home in Southwest Ranches in 2007, has come forward in opposition to a planned detention facility that would place at least 1,400 incarcerated immigrants near his home, according to local activists.
He's the most prominent Southwest Ranches resident so far to come forward in opposition to the deal, which town officials and representatives of CCA, the private contractor, say is all but sealed.
Haslem's agent told antiprison activists yesterday that a family member would take a letter of opposition to last night's town council meeting.
Earlier this week, Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart, whose district does not include the prison, wrote a letter of opposition to ICE.
"I have been approached by residents concerned that the facility would have a detrimental impact," wrote Balart, who met previously with the antiprison residents' group as well as immigrants' rights advocates.
"I would strongly encourage you to seek the input of nearby residents that could be directly impacted by the facility before moving forward on a decision."
Haslem's home is less than two miles as the crow flies from the proposed prison site, as shown below:
View 5450 SW 192nd Terrace in a larger map
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