By Paul Waldmiller
The Fort Myers City Council members met last evening to vote whether to cooperate with their city’s police department and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The specific proposal being voted on was aimed to allow some FMPD officers to be trained by ICE to handle situations involving illegal immigrants.
Fort Myers Police Department Chief Jason Fields argued that this training was necessary for officers to manage such situations effectively, citing recent cases where he believed the training could have been beneficial. However, the council was divided, with some residents voicing opposition to the proposal during public comments, expressing concerns about racial profiling and community safety.
Council member Darla Bonk was visibly emotional during the meeting, stating, “It is a tumultuous day and age, and this is a day I hate sitting in the seat that my city’s not for sale”. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier responded to the decision on his X (formerly known as Twitter) account, expressing concern that the council’s actions might violate Florida Statute and indicating that his office would be investigating.
President Trump and also some within his administration have repeatedly warned of withholding federal tax dollars to municipalities and states that do not cooperate and comply with the removal of Illegal Immigrants.