Uthmeier wrote to X,” Prohibiting a local law enforcement agency from entering into a 287 ( g ) agreement with the federal government prevents that agency from participating in some federal immigration operations.”
” My office will be looking into these council members ‘ actions because they are likely to violate Florida Statute.”
The Fort Myers City Council’s decision to reject the police department’s 287 ( g ) agreement with ICE is very troubling.
A local law enforcement agency is prevented from participating in certain activities by preventing them from entering into a 287 ( g ) agreement with the federal government.
— Attorney General James Uthmeier ( @AGJamesUthmeier ) March 18, 2025
According to a statement, councilwomen Diana Giraldo, Darla Bonk, and Terolyn Watson all voted in favor of preventing the deal from proceeding. ICE attempted to educate Fort Myers police but was denied permission to carry out immigration enforcement operations as a result of the move.
In a Tuesday statement posted on social media, Uthmeier said,” In Florida, we will not allow local governments to impede our goal to help the federal government in combating illegal immigration.”
Gov. Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL ) and Ron DeSantis (R-FL ) echoed the attorney general’s sentiments.
Local companies are required to join in federal immigration enforcement thanks to the rules we’ve just enacted in Florida, DeSantis wrote to X. The 287 ( g ) program trains neighborhood law enforcement to assist ICE. Florida may follow its legislation, and there will no longer be silence when it comes to immigration. You must manage yourself accordingly.
Local organizations are required to participate in federal immigration enforcement thanks to the laws we lately passed in Florida.
The 287 ( g ) program trains neighborhood law enforcement to assist ICE. Florida will follow its laws, and now is the time to change immigration. https ://t.co/drS0JI8FVR
— Ron DeSantis ( @GovRonDeSantis ) March 18, 2025
Donalds demanded that the members who voted against moving forward with the contract lose their seats.
The Fort Myers City Council has a duty to IMPLEMENT federal and state laws and not to violate it.
I fought them in their unlawful face authority in 2020.
People voted last night to stop @ICEgov from working with FMPD; this is dereliction of duty, and they should be removed. photograph. twitter.com/E625P0hYDV
— Byron Donalds ( @ByronDonalds ) March 18, 2025
The Fort Myers City Council has a duty to IMPLEMENT federal and state laws, Donalds wrote on X. People voted last night to stop @ICEgov from working with FMPD because it is dereliction of duty and should be removed.
According to the review, DeSantis has the authority to halt the group members who are opposed to the deal but has not confirmed his intention.
The video of the city council meeting on Monday has gone viral as Bonk and Giraldo fought through grief while opposing the ICE contract.
After being asked to collaborate with local law enforcement, Fort Myers City Council members hold hands and weep.
Seems completely normal and steady… picture. twitter.com/iqveWc6qCk
— Libs of TikTok ( @libsoftiktok ) March 18, 2025
Giraldo said,” I didn’t stand behind this as an expatriate, the single immigrant in this council.” Because, even though this isn’t about me, especially since I was in that status, and knowing that the majority of immigrants don’t come around to commit crimes, I can’t even express how large this is in my heart and mind.
BLACK PEOPLE ARE” MORE Conventional” THAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY, BYRON DONALDS ARUGES
Mayor Kevin Anderson made an effort to inform the group, including Giraldo, that the deal may not “kick in doorways and constantly seek out refugees.”
According to Anderson, “it’s a process that allows soldiers who come into contact with people who violate the laws, people who commit crimes that also happen to be illegal creatures and have a subpoena, a legal permit, for that purpose.” This enables our police department and soldiers to perform more effective work. It’s not what its portrayal suggests.
