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Fort Myers OKs agreement with ICE after removal threat by state attorney general

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floridaphoenix.com – Jackie Llanos – 2025-03-21 17:12:00

Fort Myers OKs agreement with ICE after removal threat by state attorney general

by Jackie Llanos, Florida Phoenix
March 21, 2025

The Fort Myers City Council reversed course amid legal threats from the state’s attorney general and signed an agreement with the federal government deputizing city police officers to act as immigration enforcement officials.

The reversal of the council’s block of the agreement with U.S. Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) came three days after Attorney General James Uthmeier sent them a letter warned that Gov. Ron DeSantis could remove them from office if they didn’t approve the agreement.

Three city council members who voted against the agreement earlier said they did so because they didn’t have enough information about the legal consequences, with council member Darla Bonk blaming the city’s attorney.

“We were never told this vote could expose us to becoming labeled as a sanctuary city despite the city’s continued lawful cooperation with ICE. That omission is critical to the lack of efficacy that we were displayed,” Bonk said during the Friday meeting.

“The role of the city attorney is not merely advisory, it is protective. It is the duty of our city attorney to guide this council clearly, lawfully, and thoroughly, especially when our decisions carry legal, financial, and physical implications.”

Uthmeier’s letter warned the council that its decision not to enter the agreement with ICE implicitly made Fort Myers a sanctuary city, which Florida law bans. Under a so-called 287(g) federal-state task force model, city police officers who receive training could question people about their immigration status and detain them if they are subject to deportation.

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Responding to the council’s cave, Uthmeier said on X: “Good choice.” DeSantis appointed Uthmeier, his former chief of staff, as attorney general last month to replace Ashley Moody, now a U.S. senator.

The packed audience at the meeting erupted into boos after the council voted unanimously to approve the agreement with ICE, although police Deputy Chief Victor Medico couldn’t say how many officers would receive the 40-hour mandatory online training.

City Attorney Grant Alley urged the council to support the agreement.

“The attorney general’s opinion is not law, but it is persuasive. It should be given great weight,” Alley said, noting that it’s not clear whether the council broke the law.

Still, council members said they still had concerns about racial profiling, which was the reason the Obama administration discontinued its use of the 287(g) agreements after investigations and lawsuits in Maricopa County, Arizona.

Despite profiling concerns, more law agencies are joining street-level immigration enforcement

“To be clear, our vote was in concern to this because of the potential of violation of the Fourth Amendment and the racial profiling. It wasn’t that we are not in agreement of the city of Fort Myers Police Department collaborating with ICE, because we have been doing that,” Council member Diana Giraldo said, referencing a 2021 agreement allowing city police to execute and serve search orders, warrants, and subpoenas.

The agreement at issue during the Friday meeting would go beyond that, empowering police to detain people without warrants.

How are other cities and counties reacting to the pressure?

The courts could provide guidance on whether Uthmeier’s interpretation is correct, so the city of South Miami wants to punt the matter to the judicial branch, according to the Miami Herald. However, that city has not formally asked a court to intervene.

Fort Myers is not the only place where DeSantis’ push for sheriffs, state agencies, and municipalities to enter into the agreements that he labeled as the maximum level of cooperation that will lead to street-level enforcement.

In Pinellas County, the chief of school police signed a 287(g) agreement without the knowledge or authorization of the school board and superintendent, with an inquiry from Florida Phoenix alerting district officials that he had done so. Luke Williams, chief of Pinellas County Schools Police, said during a meeting on March 11 that he signed the agreement because he thought he had to.

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This story has been updated to include information about a 2021 agreement between the city police and ICE.

Florida Phoenix is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Florida Phoenix maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Michael Moline for questions: info@floridaphoenix.com.

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Sheriff Waters set to hold first of 6 town hall meetings where community can share concerns, ask questions

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www.news4jax.com – Ashley Harding – 2025-07-07 16:24:00

SUMMARY: Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters will host six town halls to engage with community members about local concerns. The first is scheduled for July 8, 2025, in District 6, covering Northside, San Mateo, and Oceanway. These meetings build on last year’s sessions, focusing on what worked and what didn’t. Sheriff Waters and District 6 commander Mike Silcox will provide updates and address issues like traffic and crime, which has dropped over 16% this year with fewer than 50 homicides reported. Waters is also prepared to discuss tougher topics, including the ongoing investigation into Charles Faggart’s in-custody death.

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American kids have become increasingly unhealthy over nearly two decades, new study finds

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www.clickorlando.com – Laura Ungar And Jonel Aleccia, Associated Press – 2025-07-07 10:01:00

SUMMARY: A new study shows U.S. children’s health has declined over 17 years, with increased obesity, chronic illnesses, and mental health issues like depression. Obesity rose from 17% to 21% in kids aged 2-19, and chronic conditions rose from 40% to 46%. U.S. children also face higher mortality rates compared to peers in other wealthy countries, with more deaths from prematurity, sudden infant death, firearms, and accidents. Experts warn current policies, including cuts to health programs, may worsen trends. Researchers urge a comprehensive approach examining children’s environments city-by-city to address these complex health challenges.

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Texas flooding: Search for survivors continues

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www.youtube.com – FOX 35 Orlando – 2025-07-07 07:43:27

SUMMARY: Search and rescue teams continue efforts in central Texas following devastating flash floods that have killed 82 people, including 28 children in Kerr County alone. At least 41 individuals remain missing, including ten girls and a counselor from Camp Mystic. The floods caused catastrophic damage, uprooting trees, sweeping away homes, and breaking concrete slabs, with locals describing it as a once-in-a-generation disaster. Rescue efforts are concentrated along the Guadalupe River, with helicopters active daily. Volunteers and residents are aiding cleanup, but the area still faces potential flooding, heightening the urgency of ongoing search missions.

Search and rescue operations continue across Texas’ Hill Country days after a 20-foot “deadly flood wave” rushed down the Guadalupe River, decimating communities and leaving at least 82 people dead with dozens still missing.

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