Once again, Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez is going to be on the wrong side of history.

Thursday’s decision to kowtow to the petulant policies of our new president, Donald Trump, is a new low for Gimenez, who has instructed the corrections department to start detaining illegal immigrants that are arrested on unrelated crimes until federal authorities can pick them up.

This flies in the face of long standing county policy not to enforce federal immigration detention orders that dates to way before it was made official in 2013 with an ordinance that, for whatever legal reasons, states that the county refuses to indefinitely detain inmates wanted by immigration not because it was a “sanctuary city” — or that it was the right thing to do — but simply because the feds don’t reimburse the costs.

But we know that’s not the real reason. Because the cost is about $50,000 a year, according to the Miami Herald. That’s really not the reason. The reason was that we are a community of immigrants. Those of us who are lucky enough to be born here or have come here legally know someone who has not. They work hard cleaning and building our homes, fixing our roofs, taking care of our kids and cooking or serving our meals. Many if not most of them are decent people fleeing hardship, war, poverty and repression, trying to make a better life for themselves here.

Now, because Trump threatened to withhold federal funding — more than $350 million that is used in all kinds of services, from transportation to meals on wheels — the mayor is bending to his will. Just like he did when he almost gave Trump our public golf course on Key Biscayne. Is this a consolation prize?

Read related story: Carlos Gimenez’s next mancrush giveaway to Donald Trump

It’s a cowardly move.

Let me be clear: Ladra is all for comprehensive immigration reform that really works to make us safer. This is not it and does not do that. This net is far too broad and will have the unintentended (we hope) consequences of catching visa overstays who have been in this community working and paying taxes and following the rule of law for decades, who are mothers and fathers and students and caretakers, and puts them in deportation proceedings because they were are caught driving without a drivers license. This will split up decent, hard working families with no criminals in it. And the real criminals who are arrested for bigger crimes and typically get held longer anyway and are already sent to immigration proceedings because they are in the system that long, they will keep coming back because they are criminals and we’ve done nothing to change the porous borders.

Gimenez could have stood firm. He could have defended the immigrants — residents of his very county — instead of just bending over with a smile. He wouldn’t have been alone. The mayors of cities like New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Syracuse and Austin have defied the order. Their legal counsels have told them that the president’s ability to just turn off the federal funding spigot is limited. There’s also a legal question as to what constitutes a sanctuary city. Miami-Dade is a county, after all, made up of 37 municipalities. Did Gimenez, who took a $15,000 contribution from Donald Trump for his campaign and went to the president’s inauguration, even consult the county attorneys or did they just not impart the same advice?

Howard Simon, executive director of the Florida American Civil Liberties Union, included his own legal opinion in a statement he made reacting to Gimenez’s move.

“At least, a court order is required, not simply a request from a federal official to keep someone detained behind bars,” Simon said. “We will resist every attempt by our government to punish immigrants, regardless of their immigration status.

“The decision made today by Mayor Giménez goes against the long history of Miami as a city of immigrants. It also goes against the advice of experts in police administration that these policies, such as Gimenez has just supported, only serve to create a wall of mistrust between the police department and our immigrant community,” Simon said.

So, what? Gimenez doesn’t need this community anymore. He certainly doesn’t need our votes ever again. He just won re-election and is termed out of office after these next four years. What he may need is for Trump to stay nice to his son, CJ Gimenez, a lobbyist who worked for The Donald in Doral and is now banking on those ties to get federal lobbying clients. 

The president sure reacted to the mayor’s actions quickly, posting on twitter about it just hours after the announcement. Like someone flagged him to the Miami Herald story. Potus tweeted: “Miami-Dade Mayor drops sanctuary policy. Right decision. Strong!”

Read related story: Mayor’s son lobbies Trump with silent, same ‘ol partners

A group of immigration rights activists have organized a protest outside Gimenez’s office at 11 a.m. Friday morning. Ladra hopes he’s not playing golf at the Biltmore Hotel. And also that the demonstrators all have their papers because the mayor could call la migra on them.

The Facebook invitation to the “Gimenez SHAME ON YOU!” protest says that Gimenez “has BETRAYED the immigrant community by bowing to Trumps racist, xenophobic, and illegal policies.  DEMAND that Mayor Gimenez and ALL elected officials in Miami-Dade County side with all immigrant women, children, and men.”

It also says that those who cannot attend can call 305-375-5071 and tell Gimenez that Miami-Dade needs to continue to be a welcoming place for immigrants.

“I’m disgusted,” said Juan Cuba, chairman of the Miami-Dade Democratic Party. “Miami-Dade County should be a sanctuary county. We should reject Donald Trump’s hateful immigrant rhetoric and policies and make sure our elected officials represent our residents.

“There are hundreds of thousands of families who will wake up tomorrow afraid of what this means for them.”

That’s how many of us felt Nov. 9.

Gathering photos of our electeds from social media sites to share with you, dear readers, is time consuming and laborious and not all that personally fulfilling, which is why Ladra stopped doing it months ago.

But this week marks a special ocassion. We had a few South Florida politicos in D.C. for the inauguration festivities surrounding our new President Donald Trump. It’s a historic moment. And these electeds — especially State Rep. Jose Felix “Selfie King” Diaz — made it easy for me. Diaz is so proficient on twitter one has to wonder where he finds the time to legislate.

So here are some of my favorite photos from this week’s mayhem in the capitol. The first five are courtesy of the Selfie King himself, who looks like he had a ball. Or two. Or three. And an actual run-in with the POTUS, who Diaz said was the first person to ever fire him. Did he yell “You’re fired!”? We need more of this story, State rep.

And with our new Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson.

And with former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

And with Congressman Matt Gaetz.

And with State Rep. Carlos Trujillo, who is being considered for an ambassadorship.

That was at the Florida Ball, which was also attended by Miami-Dade Commissioner Jose “Pepe” Diaz, who unfortunately did not post photos, and Miami-Dade Commmission Chairman Esteban Bovo and State Sen. Rene Garcia, who did.

Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen may not have supported Trump’s campaign at first, but she fell in line and did not boycott the inauguration. I don’t know about Carlos Curbelo because he has me blocked on social media. But IRL tweeted several pictures, including this one “enjoying bipartisan representation” with Congressman Ted Deutch (D-Boca Raton/Margate)

Doral Councilwoman Ana Maria Rodriguez enjoyed the nice D.C. weather with Republican superwoman Marili Cancio. Love that tree behind them.

Former Doral Councilwoman Bettina Rodriguez-Aguilera posted several photos of herself and her friends on Facebook. Some during the day getting to and at the actual inauguration. And then later at a reception and at the Freedom Ball. Nice gown, chica!

During his re-election campaign last year, Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez could not distance himself fast or far enough from then Republican candidate for POTUS Donald J. Trump. Our Republican Cuban-American mayor even urged Trump to drop out of the race and endorsed Hillary Clinton late in the race — in a blatant grab for black and anglo Democrat and last minute undecided votes.

At one point, after he was forced into a runoff, his campaign considered having him change from Republican to Democrat.

Gimenez could have embraced his ties to The Donald, who went on to become president. After all, he once tried to give Trump our public golf course on Key Biscayne and his son, CJ Gimenez, lobbied for Trump in the city of Doral.

An election changes everything for some people and recently those ties have been proudly reclaimed.

Read related story: Carlos Gimenez’s next mancrush giveaway to Donald Trump

The mayor took Thursday and Friday off to travel to D.C. with his wife and son, lobbyist CJ Gimenez, for the inauguration.

For Junior, it’s not just a pleasure trip. It’s business. And it is interesting who his silent partners may be.

CJ announced his branching out into his own lobbying firm earlier this month. Corporate papers for Hemispheric Consulting Group were filed Dec. 22 with the state, listing CJ’s wife, Tania Cruz (who used to be a rabid Democrat, no se ahora) as the registering agent. The company will work on behalf of South and Central American and Caribbean interests who need to lobby the federal government.

Pero por supuesto this was coming. The boy has always used his political ties to his own dad as a business opportunity. You think he wouldn’t use a connection to the leader of the free world? There’s just some doubt as to whether he really branched out on his own.

Ladra didn’t get the press release sent out Jan. 5. Naturally. CJ doesn’t love us. But it was sent to and published by Herald county reporter, Doug Hanks:

“Carlos J. Gimenez, a Miami-based public affairs specialist, announced today that he is part of a team launching Hemispheric Consulting Group LLC, a new entity established to provide guidance, analysis and advocacy before the Federal government.  HCG will focus primarily on foreign policy, international trade, environmental and energy related issues with a strong emphasis on Latin American interests.

Until recently Gimenez served as Vice President and General Counsel of Balsera Communications, a public affairs and media relations firm.  A lawyer by training, he previously worked on land use, government relations and regulatory issues as an attorney.

During the last three years, Gimenez served as lead consultant for The Trump Organization’s activities in South Florida and was directly involved in the redevelopment of The Trump National Doral Miami Resort, the World Golf Championship and the Miss Universe Pageant. He also frequently served as a spokesperson for the Trump Organization with English and Spanish media.

“Having worked closely with the President-Elect over the last three years I can personally attest to his laser like focus on resolving issues in a direct and accountable manner.  His election presents a great opportunity for the entire hemisphere, not just our country.  My objective is for our Hemispheric Consulting Group to be a bridge between North and South as part of that process.”

Gimenez continued, “Latin America will see that the Trump presidency is an opportunity to redefine bilateral relations in a positive and compelling way.”

One of Gimenez’s partners in HGC, Ambassador Julio Ligorria, added, “Our company can bring to Latin America the correct insight into the approach that President-Elect Trump will have.  Carlos, our team and I have worked closely over the years and I appreciate how much he understands the importance of strong bilateral relations.  We are very bullish on what will come under President Trump.”

Gimenez will serve as Managing Director of HCG.”

It certainly presents an opportunity for him, doesn’t it.  And for his Freddy Balsera, too.

See? Some people at first thought CJ’s announcement and the words “until recently” meant he was leaving Balsera Communications, where he “worked” for the past three years as vice president and general counsel. The quotation marks are there because anyone who knows CJ knows that the mayor’s son is not a workhorse. He’s used to coasting because of who his dad has always been — the city of Miami manager, a county commissioner and then mayor. I’m not going to say he’s lazy. But because other people have said that, I know he is not known for a super duper work ethic. Hey, I might coast too, if I had a political sugar daddy.

In fact, las malas lenguas say CJ Gimenez only got that job with Balsera because of his daddy and that Balsera was growing tired of him anyway. Maybe it was his teeny weeny work ethic. Maybe it was his instability. CJ is also known to be un fosforito. This post is likely to make him blow up. Maybe it was the bullying he is known for, which was exposed after school board candidates came forward last year to tell the Miami Herald that they were shaken down by CJ, who wanted them to drop out of the race and let his aunt skate in (she won eventually anyway). But the gist is that CJ had become a liability and Freddy was looking for a soft exit.

Read related story: Beware of Carlos Gimenez Jr. at Gables school board forum

Then Trump won the presidential election.

Because, while CJ has been taken off the firm’s drop down menu list for “our talent,” his bio is still on Balsera’s website, the team picture is still up and nothing in that press release states that CJ is not still working with Balsera. “Until recently” he served as general counsel and partner. Maybe now he’s got a different title. Several sources, in fact, told Ladra that he still works at Balsera’s Ponce de Leon Boulevard office and that Freddy — who traveled with him to meet with Trump Jan. 12 — is a silent partner and investor in HCG.

Look at this EFE agency picture from El Pais, where Balsera joins CJ and HCG parnter Ligorria, the ambassador to Guatemala, as well as David Duckenfield, president and partner at Balsera, which by the way was — at least at one point in 2015, when Ladra worked with Freddy on a campaign — representing some coffee interests in, where else?, Guatemala. Ladra wouldn’t be surprised if their first project is some coffee bean tax credit legislation o algo asi.

It certainly looks like they’re still part of the same team and working together. This can’t be a happy coincidence.

The Spanish newspaper reported that the men talked about U.S. policy toward Venezuela, Argentina, El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala. CJ told the Miami Herald that the meeting lasted no longer than 20 minutes. “Obviously I have a longstanding relationship with Mr. Trump and the organization,” he was quoted as saying, social climber that he is. “We had a discussion with folks on his team that thought it would be beneficial for us to sit down with him for a few minutes and bring up issues related to Latin America.

“I think we can create opportunities for business and cultural ties with Latin America,” Gimenez told the Herald.

There’s that word again. Opportunitites abound.

The photo even has a covenient caption that helps them drive the message: “Los expertos latinoamericanos reunidos con Trump.”

Ladra suspects that CJ and Freddy are still partners in this new endeavor

It makes sense that Freddy wouldn’t publicize his partnership, or answer any of my phone calls or emails about this new endeavor of his and CJ’s. It would be weird to have Balsera, who advised the Barack Obama campaign in 2008 and 2012 and helped Hillary Clinton with at least one event in Puerto Rico — suddenly touting connections to The Donald now that he’s prez. Balsera is a nationally quoted Democratic supporter and consultant who last year said that Trump, for whom the firm did lobbying and PR during the Miss Universe contest, was no longer a client.

Duckenfield is also blue to the core, having served from 2014 to 2016 as Obama’s Deputy Assistant Secretary in the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Public Affairs.

Maybe this is a way that they can have access to and influence on leaders in both parties? Ladra is not the only one who thinks so. “It’s like a DBA of Balsera Communications, but with no real fingerprints or names on paper,” said another lobbyist, referring to a division within a company. “He wants to keep his Democratic business, too.”

But Ladra doesn’t think Trump or his people know about this double-agent hypocrisy. Not yet, anyway. I don’t think they know either that CJ’s dad, Mayor Gimenez, the papa opportunist, publicly urged Trump to drop out of the race because of the groping comments. Or announced, on live TV, that he was endorsing Hillary. Maybe State Rep. Carlos Trujillo, a Trump fundraiser and advisor who may be tapped for an ambassadorship, or other lobbyists should tell him.

Because CJ and Freddy may have some stiff competition. They are certainly not the only South Floridians who can claim connections to the guy who is going to be president about midday tomorrow. Lobbyist Brian Ballard — who represented Trump’s interest at the state and was one of his top fundraisers and who may also be tapped for an ambassadorship — comes to mind. As does Sylvester Lukis, Balsera’s former partner.

And those are true believers, there from the beginning. They were with Trump when it was unpopular in Miami-Dade. If anybody wants an inside track to Trump, Ladra would start with those three.

CJ, Freddy and the other silent partners at HCG, whoever they might be, are Johnny-come-latelys who may exaggerate their influence and are only loyal to one party: The green party.

If Hillary Clinton and her supporters think they already regret the day she uttered the words “basket of deplorables,” they will soon realize things can always get worse.

Sure, there has been an explosion of deplorables t-shirts and mugs and mouse pads. But now there is also a movement that could haunt Democrats for years. 

Deplorables Nation casts itself as the counter to Occupy Democrats and Move On. And it could become an umbrella for millions of people who are suddenly engaged and feel empowered by the election of Donald J. Trump.

The non-profit is the brainchild of Evelio Medina, president of the Miami Brickell Chamber of Commerce and creator of myriad local magazines and websites. He’s always inventing something. And he loves politics. So the movement was a natural for this lifetime Republican and Cuban-American immigrant.

“It’s not an idea, it’s a movement,” Medina said. “There’s a big group of people who didn’t have a tent. Now they do.”

Does he mean racists? Or homophobes? Probably not. The statement was so sweepingly general that Trump supporters who are not necessarily racists or misogynist or homophobic — and there are some — have taken it as a sort of badge of honor. Seriously. Medina’s said he did some online research that indicated more than 70 million people used the word “deplorables” in a positive manner after Clinton said her famous three little words.

“The bottom line is that we are the proud deplorables.”

Read related story: Man up, people! Trump election protests are misdirected

Never one to pass up an opportunity, Medina seized the term and trademarked Deplorables Nation. But he didn’t really know what to do with it until the idea hit him to have an alternate inaugural ball. This is a guy whose expertise is expos and events. 

The Deplorables Inaugural Ball Jan. 19 will be at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. Medina actually thinks the future POTUS will show up. “He might. He owes his election to the deplorables.”

Tickets are $500 or $1,000 for VIP seats, which Ladra assumes are more comfortable and which come with two souvenir packages instead of one. It’s interesting that Trump has said his All American Inaugural will be more for the everyman and tickets cost $250-$350. 

What true, self-respecting deplorable would spend $500 on a ticket to a fancy party where the headlining musical act is the country group Saints of Havana?

There are 2,000 tickets for the Deplorable Inaugural Ball so that means that Deplorable Nation stands to raise at least $1 million on this one event alone, that’s not counting the $1,000 tickets or souvenirs. Very Trumpesque of Medina to try to become a millionaire on the POTUS’ coattails.

Medina says the funds raised by the sale of tickets and commemorative souvenirs that can also be bought online will go to the non-profit to push Trump’s agenda — and make sure he stays on track.

“If he gets scattered or distracted, we are here to remind him,” Medina said. 

Well, sure, why wouldn’t he go to your ball now with an invitation like that?

In one of his last ditch efforts to keep his seat, Doral Mayor Luigi Boria — forced into a runoff Tuesday — posted a new Facebook video last week in which he compares himself to President-elect Donald Trump.

“Both have achieved the dream of using their experience as successful businessmen to serve the community and this great nation,”Spanish captions read as inspirational music soars and photos of Boria and Trump at Trump’s Doral Golf Resort and Spa and the Miss Universe contest. Even one with the mayor giving Trump the key to the city in 2014.

Someone’s got delusions of grandeur.

“The people saw the progress and honesty in his eyes. Today, together, they will make a difference. His friendship is beneficial for the well being of Doral.”

Read related story: Nasty Doral mayoral race tops $1 mil approaching runoff

The video also has an excerpt from a Trump rally here in which our future POTUS says he stands with the people of Cuba and Venezuela. We suppose that he believes he’s going to take votes away from former founding Mayor J.C. Bermudez, who trounced him in the first round wth 46% to 33%.

But who told Boria that this was a good idea? Guess he doesn’t know that Trump lost in Doral. Lost big league. It was yuuuge for Hillary.

According to figures from the Miami-Dade Elections Department, and compiled by political consultant and fellow campaign junkie Giancarlo Sopo, Trump lost every single precinct in Doral except one. And that precinct 373 is kinda sketchy, as my teenager would say. It’s a commercial area and nobody is supposed to live there. I suspect those two votes are invalid. So Trump lost every precinct in Doral.

Citywide, Clinton trounced with 68% of the vote to his 28%. That’s not even close.

Hopefully, voters will give Boria something else to compare with Trump on Tuesday — a wide margin of rejection.

Disclaimer: This post was not paid by any political candidate or campaign but was, instead, a pure labor of love.

Mayor Carlos Gimenez, wishy washy as ever, was a day late and a dollar short Thursday when he put out a statement supporting the deferred action on immigrants who were brought to the U.S. illegally as children.

“This morning, I was briefed on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). I fully support the extension of DACA until Congress can approve and our next President can sign comprehensive immigration reform which addresses the status of our Dreamers and the millions who lack legal status throughout the country,” reads the mayor’s statement, more likely written by his spokesman, Michael Hernandez.

“Miami-Dade County is home to thousands of young people who through no fault of their own were brought to the United States by their parents and are currently undocumented. They deserve an opportunity to achieve the American Dream. I encourage the next Congress to prioritize common sense immigration reform.”

But Gimenez apparently passed on signing a letter from 19 other U.S. mayors hand delivered Wednesday to President-elect Donald Trump, asking him to extend the temporary stay from deportation given to students and young people brought into the U.S. illegally as children by their parents and guardians.

Maybe it would have made the next round of golf awkward?

According to the Miami Herald, Gimenez’s office acknowledged getting the request to join the mayors from Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. They were told that the mayor asked for a “policy briefing” to “help make up his mind.” But that didn’t happen before the letter was delivered.

Read related story: Carlos Gimenez’s next mancrush giveaway to Donald Trump

Did it happen before Gimenez issued his statement Wednesday morning? What exactly was the mayor told at this policy briefing to help him “make up his mind”? Why do these young people “deserve an opportunity to achieve the American Dream” today and not last week? What is different for DACA Dreamers today? What does the mayor of the seventh largest county in the U.S., a region rich with immigrants from all over the world, not know about DACA?

Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado, on the other hand, wasn’t even asked to sign the letter. Emanuel should have asked Regalado, who wouldn’t have blinked. Regalado told the Herald that he would have signed “in a heartbeat.” Because, really, what is there to think about? Yes, comprehensive reform is needed, but what does that have to do with extending DACA for Dreamers? You can do that with or without the reform, which is going to take years and years if it ever happens (Ladra thinks its convenient for both parties to keep up this chaos, but that’s another story).

So what was the hold up for Gimenez?

Ladra bets that “policy briefing” is really code for a chat with his son, CJ Gimenez, a lobbyist who had The Donald as a client in Doral. After all, Papi ya la chivo when he backed off of giving Trump our public Crandon Golf Course on Key Biscayne. Then Mayor Gimenez — in the throes of a heated re-election where he needed black and Anglo votes — said he voted for Hillary Clinton!

Maybe he doesn’t want a strike three.