Protesters battled with police outside a Miami-Dade commission meeting on Thursday after claiming they were barred from commenting on an agenda item involving an arrangement between county jails and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The proposal in question is resolution 11A, which would allow the county to hold immigration detainees for ICE in jail for up to 48 hours while charging the federal government $50 per person.

But before any genuine debate could begin, commissioners delayed the matter and closed the chambers.

NBC6 cameras witnessed deputies grabbing a woman’s hair and dragging her out of the hearing while they were surrounded by a crowd. Then another victim was brought to the ground.

Both people were held while others protested that their voices were being ignored.

Camila Ramos, 36, was later brought into jail on allegations of battery on a law enforcement officer and violent resistance to arrest.

Ramos’ husband, Andre Ball, said his wife simply wanted a chance to express her worries about the resolution.

“She said that she wanted to speak and then they forced her out and in the way that the forced her out she was being dragged and everything so she managed self defence,” Ball told me.

The second suspect was also accused with resisting arrest using violence.

Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava stated that the issue was presented to the board for ratification, but this is no longer necessary because it is a mandatory agreement.

“This is not something about which I have a choice, this is the law of Florida and it was required,” Levine Cava told the crowd.

Despite the legal responsibility, Cava urged neighbours to voice their opinions and concerns about the relationship.

Following the uproar, commissioners reversed direction and allowed public comment.

Dozens spoke up against the ICE cooperation, encouraging the county to take a tougher stance against federal immigration enforcement partnerships.

One woman who spoke during public comment encouraged the mayor to veto the measure if it reached her desk.