Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said his office will open an investigation into Fort Myers City Council members after they failed to advance an agreement Monday under which Immigrations and Customs Enforcement would work with local authorities.
“Preventing a local law enforcement agency from entering into a 287(g) agreement with the federal government prevents that agency from participating in certain federal immigration operations,” Uthmeier posted to X.
Recommended Stories
- Denver mayor erupts after ICE arrests Jeanette Vizguerra: 'Putin-style persecution'
- Arizona AG guides schools on if they need to adhere to DHS administrative warrants
- Berlin investigating multiple incidents of US detaining Germans at border
“These council members actions likely run afoul of Florida Statute, and my office will be investigating.”
The Fort Myers City Council’s vote to not approve the police department’s 287(g) agreement with ICE is very troubling.
— Attorney General James Uthmeier (@AGJamesUthmeier) March 18, 2025
Preventing a local law enforcement agency from entering into a 287(g) agreement with the federal government prevents that agency from participating in certain… https://t.co/t3sHdoNCOl
Councilwomen Diana Giraldo, Darla Bonk, and Terolyn Watson all voted to prevent the agreement from moving forward, according to a report. The move stymied efforts to have ICE train Fort Myers police and allow the agency to conduct immigration enforcement operations.
“In Florida, we will not let local governments obstruct our mission to support the federal government in combatting illegal immigration,” Uthmeier said in a Tuesday statement posted to social media.
Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) and Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) echoed the attorney general’s sentiment.
“Thanks to the laws we’ve recently enacted in Florida, local entities are required to participate in federal immigration enforcement,” DeSantis posted to X. “The 287 (g) program trains local law enforcement to aid ICE. Florida will ensure its laws are followed, and when it comes to immigration—the days of inaction are over. Govern yourselves accordingly.”
Thanks to the laws we’ve recently enacted in Florida, local entities are required to participate in federal immigration enforcement.
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) March 18, 2025
The 287 (g) program trains local law enforcement to aid ICE. Florida will ensure its laws are followed, and when it comes to immigration—the days… https://t.co/drS0JI8FVR
Donalds called for the members who voted not to advance the agreement to lose their seats.
The Fort Myers City Council has a responsibility to IMPLEMENT state & federal law, not to DEFY it.
— Byron Donalds (@ByronDonalds) March 18, 2025
In 2020, I fought them over their illegal mask mandate.
Last night, members voted to prevent @ICEgov from working with FMPD, this is dereliction of duty, & they should be REMOVED. pic.twitter.com/E625P0hYDV
“The Fort Myers City Council has a responsibility to IMPLEMENT state & federal law, not to DEFY it,” Donalds posted to X. “Last night, members voted to prevent @ICEgov from working with FMPD, this is dereliction of duty, & they should be REMOVED.”
DeSantis has the power to suspend the members who opposed the agreement but has not confirmed he will do so, according to the report.
Footage from Monday’s city council meeting has gone viral as Bonk and Giraldo battled through tears while speaking against the ICE agreement.
Fort Myers City Council members hold hands and cry after being asked to authorize local law-enforcement to cooperate with ICE.
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) March 18, 2025
Seems totally normal and stable… pic.twitter.com/iqveWc6qCk
“I can’t stand behind this as an immigrant, the only immigrant sitting in this council,” Giraldo said. “Because, although this isn’t about me, particularly, I have been in that position, and I can’t even express how heavy this is in my heart and in my mind, knowing that the majority of us that come as immigrants, we don’t come here to commit crimes.”
BYRON DONALDS ARUGES BLACK PEOPLE ARE ‘MORE CONSERVATIVE’ THAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY
Mayor Kevin Anderson attempted to tell members, including Giraldo, that the agreement would not send law enforcement to “kick in doors and actively seek out immigrants.”
“It’s a process that allows officers who come in contact with people violating the laws, people committing crimes that also happen to be illegal aliens and have a warrant, a civil warrant, for that purpose,” Anderson said. “This is allowing our police officers, our police department, to do a better job. It’s not what it’s portrayed to be.”