Gov. Ron DeSantis has threatened to intervene in Fort Myers if they do not sign an agreement with ICE. He made the statement at a roundtable in Sarasota, emphasizing that Florida law requires local governments to cooperate with ICE. This comes after the Fort Myers City Council rejected a proposal for police officers to be trained by ICE for immigration enforcement activities.
DeSantis mentioned that all 67 Florida sheriffs have already signed the agreement, making Fort Myers the first local government to resist. He warned that the city council’s defiance could lead to elected officials being suspended from office. Congressman Byron Donalds has called for the council members who voted against the agreement to be removed from their positions.
The city council has scheduled a special meeting to address the issue, while Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has accused them of violating state law. DeSantis emphasized that local governments must adhere to the law and work with ICE, stating that solutions are available to enforce compliance, including the suspension of elected officials.
The situation in Fort Myers highlights the ongoing debate over immigration enforcement at the local level. DeSantis’s stance reflects the state’s commitment to maintaining partnerships with federal agencies like ICE, despite opposition from some local governments. The outcome of this dispute will have implications for the relationship between Florida and immigration enforcement authorities.
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