Overview

• The Fort Myers City Council initially voted 3-3 on a memorandum with ICE, blocking its passage and preventing local police from acting as ICE agents under the 287(g) program.
• Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier and Governor Ron DeSantis warned that the vote violates state law mandating local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, threatening penalties including removal from office.
• Councilwoman Darla Bonk opposed the agreement, citing unanswered questions about its implications, costs, and potential liability for officers.
• Councilwoman Diana Giraldo also opposed the measure, expressing concerns about racial profiling and its potential impact on Hispanic communities.
• An emergency meeting scheduled for Friday, March 21, 2025, will revisit the agreement, with the outcome potentially changing due to the attendance of an additional council member.